About two weeks ago, South Africa registered their worst-ever run margin defeat in ODI cricket. After winning the series against Australia, they lost by a whopping 276 runs in Mackay. It was a humiliating defeat, to say the least. But the Proteas probably brushed it aside since they have already won the series.
Well, they have one-upped, or perhaps you could say one-downed, themselves. That’s because South Africa has just lost the 3rd ODI against England by 342 runs. It is the largest margin of defeat for any team in ODI cricket’s 54-year-old history. After conceding 414 runs at Southampton, the Proteas managed to score just 72 runs in reply.
Largest margin of victory in ODIs
Sri Lanka held the record for the biggest margin of defeat in ODIs, but now South Africa are the sad holders of that shameful crown.
| Winner | Margin | Target | Overs | Opposition | Ground | Date |
| England | 342 runs | 415 | 20.5 | South Africa | Southampton | 07 Sep 2025 |
| India | 317 runs | 391 | 22.0 | Sri Lanka | Trivandrum | 15 Jan 2023 |
| Australia | 309 runs | 400 | 21.0 | Netherlands | Delhi | 25 Oct 2023 |
| Zimbabwe | 304 runs | 409 | 25.1 | USA | Harare | 26 Jun 2023 |
| India | 302 runs | 358 | 19.4 | Sri Lanka | Wankhede | 2 Nov 2023 |
Biggest margin of defeat in ODIs for South Africa
| Margin | Target | Opposition | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 342 runs | 415 | England | 07 Sep, 2025 |
| 276 runs | 432 | Australia | 24 Aug, 2025 |
| 243 runs | 327 | India | 5 Nov, 2023 |
| 182 runs | 336 | Pakistan | 11 Dec, 2002 |
| 180 runs | 321 | Sri Lanka | 20 Jul, 2013 |
Lowest totals by South Africa in ODIs
Luckily for South Africa, if one can even say that, they managed to score 72 runs. Had they fallen just four short of that, they would have broken their record for the lowest ODI score.
| Score | Overs | Innings | Opposition | Ground | Match Date |
| 69 | 28.0 | 2 | Australia | Sydney | 14 Dec 1993 |
| 72 | 20.5 | 2 | England | Southampton | 07 Sep 2025 |
| 83 | 27.1 | 2 | India | Eden Gardens | 5 Nov 2023 |
| 83 | 23.0 | 1 | England | Nottingham | 26 Aug 2008 |
| 83 | 20.4 | 2 | England | Manchester | 22 Jul 2022 |
Editor's Pick
Cricket
How Virat Kohli's 100 in Ranchi resulted in tickets for IND vs SA 3rd ODI getting sold out instantly
Top Stories
