Chasing 415 to complete a clean-sweep of the three-match series, the Proteas surrendered in humiliating fashion in 20.5 ignominious overs in Southampton.
It was the biggest winning margin in the history of the ODI format when batting first, surpassing India’s 317-run victory against Sri Lanka in 2023.
South Africa narrowly avoided beating their lowest ODI total of 69 against Australia in 1993.
England’s previous biggest margin of victory was a 242-run success against Australia at Trent Bridge in 2018.
After Bethell smashed 110 from just 82 balls and Joe Root reached a typically efficient 100, Archer set about demolishing the South Africans.
The pace bowler finished with impressive figures of 4-18 in nine overs as he removed four of South Africa’s top five batsmen.
It was the kind of fearsome form that underlined why England are so keen to keep Archer fit for the Ashes series in Australia later this year.
Beaten by seven wickets in the series opener at Headingley before losing the second game at Lord’s by five runs, England managed to save face thanks to their record-breaking performance in the final match.
England’s fifth highest ODI total of 414-5 was more than enough to see off South Africa.
Jos Buttler’s 62 not out and 62 from opener Jamie Smith added to the run spree alongside the precocious Bethell and the prolific Root.
Bethell’s vibrant innings featured 13 fours and three sixes as the 21-year-old showed why England have been so keen to fast-track him in all formats.
He easily surpassed his previous career-best score of 96 in a Test match against New Zealand in 2024. (AFP)