The National Times - South Africa's Walter wary of wounded England in Champions Trophy clash

The sides meet in Karachi on Saturday with England already knocked out of the semi-final race but South Africa are still in contention in the 50-over tournament.

A win will take the Proteas to the last four but defeat will make them depend on others and net run-rate.

South Africa hammered Afghanistan in their opener but their second match against Australia was washed out without a ball being bowled.

They now take on an England team severely bruised and their captain Jos Buttler under pressure to relinquish the white-ball leadership.

"League cricket around the world, they do well, which should suggest that they're adaptable," Walter told reporters.

"If you look at the names on the sheet, I think there's some quality players there.

"There's no doubt about that.

"Cricket can be fickle and sometimes that results in you losing.

"To ask if I'm surprised - as I said I think there's good cricketers that could turn out tomorrow and deliver an international standard performance," he added.

Buttler has been unable to replicate England's success as ODI and T20 captain since he led them to a T20 World Cup title in 2022.

England won only three of their nine matches as defending champions at the 50-over World Cup in India in 2023.

They faltered in the semi-final of last year's T20 World Cup and recently suffered a 3-0 ODI whitewash in India before the Champions Trophy.

- 'Destructive' Klaasen -

Pressed further on what needs to be done to stem England's rot, Walter, said: "What I've learnt in times, you can never judge what's happening with a team unless you're actually walking in the shoes of the people that are on the ground with the team."

"I think there's good people there who have done good things in cricket, working with good players, and I would suggest it's only a matter of time before they find success."

Walter said Proteas wicketkeeper-batsman Heinrich Klaasen is set to return to the team after missing the opener due to an elbow injury.

Batting at number four, Klaasen has been the accumulator and aggressor for South Africa in white-ball cricket and remains key to their title goals.

"I mean he's a super player isn't he?," said Walter.

"And I think that you probably notice his strength also based on who the guys are around him that allow him to play that way.

"Obviously he's got a skill-set at the moment that is right up there with the world's best, I think we all agree with that. And it's great to have him in your team because you know how destructive he can be."

C.Stevenson--TNT