Follow UsTwo nations, who hardly move beyond the semi-finals in ICC events, will be up against each other in the second semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The match, scheduled to be played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on March 5 (Wednesday), is anticipated to be a high-scoring affair. The winner will face the winner of the first semi-final between Australia and India on March 9.
While South Africa are unbeaten so far in the tournament, New Zealand have also not lost a game in Pakistan in their last five encounters in the country. Their only loss in the tournament, against India, came in Dubai.
Both teams are a mix of youth and experience and hence, it has every ingredient to be the best game of the tournament.
South Africa squad
Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Corbin Bosch
New Zealand squad
Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Kyle Jaimeson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson, Will Young, Jacob Duffy
South Africa Probable Playing 11: Ryan Rickelton, Temba Bavuma (c), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada
New Zealand Probable Playing 11: Rachin Ravindra, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Kyle Jaimeson, Matt Henry, Will O’Rourke
In India, the match can be watched on Star Sports Network and can be live-streamed on Jiohotstar.
In South Africa, the South Africa vs New Zealand clash will be telecast live on the Supersport Television Network, and it will also be streamed live on Superport DSTV.
In New Zealand, you can watch the South Africa vs New Zealand clash exclusively on Sky Sport.
South Africa vs New Zealand will start at 2:30 PM IST, 10 PM New Zealand Time and 5:00 PM South Africa Time.
You can buy tickets for the South Africa vs New Zealand semi-final clash here https://pcb.tcs.com.pk/ICCTICKETS
Safe options: Ryan Rickelton (SA), Wiaan Mulder (SA), Glenn Phillips (NZ), Michael Bracewell (NX)
Risky options: Kane Williamson (NZ), Heinrich Klaasen (SA), Kagiso Rabada (SA), Matt Henry (NZ)
Head to Head
P 73 | SA 42 | NZ 26
Last 5 matches: SA 2 | NZ 3
It will be very hard to predict the winner of this game as both the teams are equally strong and have had great run-up to the semi-final. While you can say that New Zealand lost to India and South Africa are unbeaten, they were beaten by the Kiwis in the tri-series prior to the Champions Trophy. But since that South African team which was beaten, was not that strong, one can give 51-49 advantage to the Proteas for this game.
Ryan Rickelton has been in amazing form over the last year and a half and he already has a century to his name in this Champions Trophy. Thus, he would be the best batter to bet on.
Marco Jansen has had quite a bit of success on the pitches of Karachi. However, Matt Henry of New Zealand is the leading wicket-taker of the tournament, proving his worth with eight wickets, including a five-wicket haul. Thus, he would be the best bowler of this game.
In the three completed matches at Lahore, two have seen scores above 300 from both sides. The one match that couldn’t was abandoned mid-way after the first team posted 273. Thus, it would be a batting-friendly wicket, as has also been stated by both the camps in pre-match press conferences.
The temperatures in Lahore tomorrow will be pleasant, ranging between 17 and 24 degrees Celsius. It is expected to be bright, and there’s no chance of rain. So expect a full match.