EDC vs SAC Match Prediction 2025 8th T20: Match Preview, Pitch Report and Who will win Today’s Match?

EDC vs SAC Match Preview

The England Champions in this tournament have been really bad. The hosts have played 3 matches in which they have lost 2 matches and had a game abandoned vs South Africa Champions.

During their recent encounter, the England Champions were edged out by the West Indies Champions, by a margin of 10 runs. The Caribbean team scored 164 runs in 20 overs. Stuart Meaker registered figures of four wickets, whereas Ajmal Shahzad secured three wickets representing England in the game.

However, the England batters had a terrible game. Chasing 165, they were 4 wickets down for 19 runs at one stage. Following this, Samit Patel reached a half-century, with Ravi Bopara and Tim Ambrose also making valuable contributions to the innings. But it wasn't enough as they lost the match by 10 runs.

As for the South Africa Champions, they have now won both of their opening matches of the tournament. They beat West Indies Champions in a tie-breaker on July 19 and then beat the defending champions India Champions on 22nd July.

They scored 208 runs while batting first vs India Champions. Hashim Amla and Jacques Rudolph gave a good start to the Proteas. But it was AB de Villiers who made the headline with his performance. The former South Africa captain scored 63 runs unbeaten off 30 balls.

The India Champions had no answers to the South Africa Champions bowling in this match. They kept on piling pressure on the Indian line-up with regular wickets. Aaron Phangiso was the top wicket-taker with 3 wickets while Imran Tahir and Wayne Parnell took 2 wickets each as India scored 111 runs in 18.2 overs as South Africa won by 88 runs via DLS method.

EDC vs SAC Recent Form

Compared to the England Champions, the South Africa Champions are currently in a considerably better state of recent form. In the last 5 matches, England Champs have not won a single match with all five being a defeat. As for the South Africa Champions, they have won 3, lost one and had a game vs West Indies Champions end in a tie, which they also won in tie-breaker.

EDC vs SAC Head-to-Head in T20s

The England Champions and the South Africa Champions played one match last season in which the England Champions won the match by 9 wickets. The Proteas scored 137 runs which the Three Lions chased in 11 to win the match.

Grace Road, Leicester Pitch Report

The Grace Road ground in Leicester provides a balanced surface which makes T20 cricket exciting. There will be pace and bounce available from the surface with movement also expected with the new ball. However, as the game progresses, it will get better to bat. Under the lights the pitch is expected to settle well which will allow the batters to play shots freely. Shorter boundaries also aids the teams to score runs in both the innings of the game.

England Champions vs South Africa Champions Predicted Playing XI

England Champions: Alastair Cook, Ian Bell, Eoin Morgan (C), Moeen Ali, Ravi Bopara, Samit Patel, Tim Ambrose, Chris Tremlett, Liam Plunkett, Ajmal Shahzad, Stuart Meaker.

South Africa Champions: Hashim Amla, Jacques Rudolph, Sarel Erwee, AB de Villiers (C), JP Duminy, Wayne Parnell, JJ Smut, Morne van Wyk, Hardus Viljoen, Aaron Phangiso, Imran Tahir.

EDC vs SAC Key Players

England Champions Top Batter: Eoin Morgan 

The England Champions have struggled in the WCL 2025. Their batting in particular has not been effective. Captain Eoin Morgan is the team’s top run scorer with 69 runs. He scored 44 runs vs Australia Champions showing his quality.

England Champions Top Bowler: Stuart Meaker

The 36-years-old Stuart Meaker has been brilliant in this tournament so far as England’s best bowler. He has taken 5 wickets in 2 innings to help his side’s cause with the ball.

South Africa Champions Top Batter: AB de Villiers

South Africa Champions captain AB de Villiers displayed his quality even at the age of 41 vs India Champions as he scored 63 runs off 30 balls. He was also brilliant on the field and expect him to continue his great form.

South Africa Top Bowler: Aaron Phangiso 

Former South Africa medium pacer Aaron Phangiso has been the team’s best bowler. He has taken 5 wickets in the tournament including a 3 wicket-haul vs India Champions.

EDC vs SAC Today Match Prediction 

The match between the England Champions and the South Africa Champions promises to be an exciting encounter. The England side need to bounce back from their terrible start to the season. Meanwhile, the South Africa Champions will be desperate to keep their winning momentum going.

However, given how the England batters have struggled in the tournament, even having to chop and change the playing XI, against what has been a brilliant bowling attack of South Africa, England's troubles are just going to get tougher. The Proteas though have a great batting and bowling line-up under their disposal and have been in great, thus stands as the favourite to win the match.