New Zealand Outclass South Africa in ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Second Semi-Final to Secure Final Berth
Pakistan/Patiala, 05 March (Shahi)
On March 5, 2025, New Zealand delivered a commanding performance to defeat South Africa by 102 runs in the second semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, Pakistan. Powered by centuries from Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson, followed by a clinical bowling display led by Mitchell Santner, New Zealand posted a mammoth 362/6 and then bowled South Africa 312/9 in 50 overs. This victory secured their place in the final against India, scheduled for March 9 in Dubai, ending South Africa’s hopes of reaching their first Champions Trophy final since 1998.
Match Overview
- Date: March 5, 2025
- Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, Pakistan
- Toss: New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat first
- Result: New Zealand won by 50 runs
- Player of the Match: Rachin Ravindra (108 off 101 balls)
New Zealand’s Innings: A Batting Masterclass
New Zealand’s decision to bat first paid off spectacularly on a batting-friendly Lahore pitch. Openers Will Young (21 off 23) and Rachin Ravindra provided a steady start, reaching 48/1 by the 7.5th over before Young fell to Lungi Ngidi. What followed was a game-defining 164-run partnership between Ravindra and Kane Williamson that set the tone for a massive total.
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- Ravindra’s Brilliance: Rachin Ravindra scored a scintillating 108 off 101 balls (12 fours, 1 six), reaching his fifth ODI century—all in ICC events. His aggressive yet composed knock ended in the 34th over when Kagiso Rabada dismissed him, caught by Aiden Markram.
- Williamson’s Milestone: Kane Williamson anchored the innings with 102 off 94 balls (10 fours), becoming the first New Zealand batter to cross 19,000 international runs. He fell in the 40th over, caught off Wiaan Mulder, but not before setting a solid platform.
- Late Flourish: Daryl Mitchell (49 off 37) and Glenn Phillips (49* off 27, 3 fours, 3 sixes) unleashed a barrage in the final 10 overs, plundering 111 runs. Phillips’ unbeaten cameo, including 19 runs off Rabada in the 49th over, propelled New Zealand to 362/6—the highest total of the tournament thus far.
- South Africa’s Bowling Struggles: Lungi Ngidi (3/72) was the pick of the bowlers, but his economy suffered in the death overs. Kagiso Rabada (1/77) and Marco Jansen (1/66) were expensive, while spinners Keshav Maharaj (0/54) and Aiden Markram (0/27) failed to stem the flow of runs.
New Zealand Scorecard:
- Rachin Ravindra: 108 (101 balls, 12×4, 1×6)
- Kane Williamson: 102 (94 balls, 10×4)
- Glenn Phillips: 49* (27 balls, 3×4, 3×6)
- Daryl Mitchell: 49 (37 balls)
- Will Young: 21 (23 balls)
- Total: 362/6 in 50 overs
South Africa’s Chase: A Promising Start Undone by Spin
Chasing 363—the highest target in a Champions Trophy knockout match—South Africa started strongly but crumbled under pressure from New Zealand’s spinners, losing their last eight wickets for 115 runs.
- Early Promise: Openers Temba Bavuma (56 off 71) and Ryan Rickelton (17 off 12) added 35 in 4.5 overs before Matt Henry dismissed Rickelton. Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen (54 off 57) then forged a 91-run stand, taking South Africa to 126/1 by the 19th over.
- Santner’s Turning Point: Captain Mitchell Santner turned the game in New Zealand’s favor with a devastating spell. He dismissed Bavuma (bowled) and van der Dussen (bowled) in quick succession, then had Heinrich Klaasen (11) caught by Matt Henry in the 25th over. Santner finished with 3/43, breaking the backbone of South Africa’s batting.
- Middle-Order Collapse: Aiden Markram (24 off 30) and David Miller (66* off 53, 5×4, 2×6) offered resistance with a 45-run stand, but Markram’s departure to Michael Bracewell (1/47) triggered a slide. Wiaan Mulder (4), Marco Jansen (11), and Keshav Maharaj (2) fell cheaply, leaving South Africa at 232/8 by the 42nd over.
- Miller’s Lone Fight: David Miller waged a valiant battle, remaining unbeaten on 66, but lacked support. Matt Henry (3/47) returned to dismiss Kagiso Rabada (12), and Kyle Jamieson (1/47) wrapped up the innings by bowling Lungi Ngidi (1), ending South Africa’s chase at 260.
- Bowling Highlights: Santner’s 3 wickets were pivotal, while Henry’s early and late strikes (3/43) and Jamieson’s 10 overs (1/47) kept the pressure on. Glenn Phillips chipped in with 1/27, dismissing Jansen.
South Africa Scorecard:
- David Miller: 100 NO
- Temba Bavuma: 56 (71 balls)
- Rassie van der Dussen: 69 (66 balls)
- Aiden Markram: 31 (29 balls)
- Total: 312/9
Key Moments and Milestones
- Williamson’s Record: Kane Williamson’s 102 took him past 19,000 international runs, a testament to his consistency across formats.
- Ravindra’s ICC Pedigree: Rachin Ravindra’s fifth ODI ton in ICC events underlined his reputation as a big-match player at just 25 years old.
- Highest Tournament Total: New Zealand’s 362/6 surpassed India’s 249/9 against New Zealand as the highest score in the 2025 Champions Trophy.
- South Africa’s Knockout Woes: This defeat marked South Africa’s third consecutive loss in an ICC tournament knockout match, following the 2023 ODI World Cup semi-final and 2024 T20 World Cup final.
Post-Match Reactions
- Mitchell Santner (New Zealand Captain): “Rachin and Kane set it up beautifully, and the guys finished it off well. We knew spin would play a big role here, and it was great to see it come through. We’re excited to face India in the final.”
- Rachin Ravindra (Player of the Match): “It’s special to contribute in a semi-final. Kane’s experience guided me, and the late runs from Daryl and Glenn gave us a total we could defend.”
- Temba Bavuma (South Africa Captain): “We didn’t execute with the ball, and 362 was always going to be tough. We started well, but losing wickets in clusters hurt us. Credit to New Zealand—they outplayed us today.”
Looking Ahead
New Zealand’s emphatic victory sets up a blockbuster final against India on March 9, 2025, at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Having lost to India by 44 runs in the group stage, the Kiwis will look to their batting firepower and spin arsenal to challenge the defending champions. For South Africa, another semi-final exit adds to their history of near-misses in ICC events, leaving them to regroup ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup, which they will co-host.
This match showcased New Zealand’s depth and composure under pressure, making them a formidable opponent for India in what promises to be an electrifying Champions Trophy final.
