South Africa secured their first-ever victory over England at Headingley, skittling the hosts for just 131 – their second-lowest total at home against the Proteas – before cruising to a 7-wicket win.

South Africa won the toss and chose to bowl first, a call influenced by the showers forecast to sweep across Headingley later in the day.

Nandre Burger and Lungi Ngidi began by probing away, feeling out the conditions on what looked a good batting surface.

Burger struck in his second over, nicking off Ben Duckett (5) with his second ball.

Joe Root brought a touch of calm with a boundary off each seamer, but his stay was short-lived. On 14, he edged Ngidi in the eighth over, and Ryan Rickelton pulled off a sharp low catch to his right — clutching it on the second attempt after it popped out of his fingertips.

England moved to 82 in 14 overs and seemed to be settling into a recovery, but a needless run-out of Harry Brook handed South Africa their third wicket.

Jamie Smith (54 off 48 balls) was the only real bright spot in the top order, raising his second career half-century and taking England past 100. But his resistance ended when he whipped Wiaan Mulder to fine leg.

From there, the collapse was swift.

No. 1 ODI bowler Keshav Maharaj was outstanding, finding Jacob Bethel’s edge for Aiden Markram at slip in the 19th over, before producing a sharp caught-and-bowled to remove Will Jacks in the 21st.

The very next over, Mulder (3-33) struck twice in two balls — Jos Buttler edging to the keeper, followed by Jofra Archer to slip. England had slumped to 119-8.

Their innings barely flickered from there. Maharaj (4-22) pinned Adil Rashid lbw before bowling debutant Sonny Baker next ball to finish things off.

England were bundled out for 131 in 24.3 overs — their second-lowest total against South Africa on home soil. Their lowest was 103 at The Oval in the 1999 ICC Cricket World Cup.

The Proteas’ chase was pretty simple. It was led by Aiden Markram, who reached his half-century in 23 balls, the fastest by a South African opener in ODIs.

He did lose his wicket, however, with SA on 121. He scored 86 off 55 balls (13 fours, 2 sixes) at a strike rate of 156.36.

Rickelton was more laboured than his partner, but he stuck around. He scored 31 off 59 balls (4 fours).

Bavuma lost his wicket for 6, and Stubbs as well, looking to finish off the game in style.

Brevis did finish it in style, scoring a maximum.

South Africa chased down the target in 20.5 overs to claim a seven-wicket win.