By South Africa and New Zealand face off in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final, each seeking a long-awaited title. Both teams boast strong bowling attacks and recent form, but key weaknesses could shape the outcome.
South Africa – A Balanced Side with a Lethal Pace Attack
South Africa’s top order has been in fine form, and Lahore’s flat pitch provides the perfect platform for them to capitalize. The venue boasts a batting average of 39.6 and a strike rate of 103.8, indicating that runs come quickly and in abundance.
Ryan Rickelton set the tone for the Proteas with a scintillating 103 off 106 balls against Afghanistan. His aggressive approach at the top will be crucial in providing a strong foundation. Temba Bavuma and Aiden Markram have chipped in with fifties, but the most significant factor in South Africa’s batting lineup is Rassie van der Dussen.
Van der Dussen has been in good touch, despite a mixed 2024. His career ODI average of 49.76 underlines his consistency, and his two quick-fire fifties in the tournament reaffirm his value. The last time he faced New Zealand in a high-stakes game, he smashed 133 off 118 balls in the 2023 World Cup, propelling South Africa to a commanding 357-run total.
Klaasen – The X-Factor in the Middle Order
Heinrich Klaasen is South Africa’s biggest asset in the middle overs, particularly against spin. His battle with New Zealand’s spin duo of Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell will be a crucial phase of the match. Klaasen averages 45.7 against spinners in ODIs with an impressive strike rate of 120.6, making him a dangerous proposition if he gets going.
South Africa’s Potent Pace Attack
South Africa has the most destructive pace attack in the tournament, with their quicks averaging 18.68 per wicket and striking every 23.1 deliveries – the best of any team in CT 2025.
- Wiaan Mulder has been their standout performer, taking five wickets at an economy rate of under 4.
- Marco Jansen has been South Africa’s top wicket-taker since 2023, with 43 scalps in 23 matches at a strike rate of 27.7.
- Kagiso Rabada remains one of the world’s premier pacers, with a bowling strike rate of 32.5, placing him among the top 15 ODI fast bowlers in history.
New Zealand – A Team of Resilience and Firepower
New Zealand’s Champions Trophy campaign has been a rollercoaster. They started with strong wins over Pakistan and Bangladesh but faltered against India’s spinners in Dubai.
While Tom Latham has been their leading run-scorer, Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips will be their biggest batting threats in Lahore’s high-scoring conditions.
- Rachin Ravindra has been in superb form, scoring 1088 runs since 2023 at an average of 41.8 and a strike rate of 108.9. He was also New Zealand’s top scorer in the 2023 World Cup.
- Glenn Phillips is a destructive finisher, boasting a strike rate of 146.2 in the death overs since 2023 – the highest among New Zealand batters.
Matt Henry – Leading the Bowling Attack
- Matt Henry is the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, with eight dismissals averaging 15.5. His overall ODI bowling strike rate of 28.7 is the third-best in history (minimum 150 wickets), behind only Mohammed Shami and Mitchell Starc.
- Will O’Rourke has been an emerging force, picking up six wickets and providing crucial breakthroughs.
With two well-matched teams, an excellent batting pitch, and some of the best bowling attacks in world cricket, this semi-final has all the makings of a classic encounter. South Africa will rely on their batting depth and pace attack, while New Zealand will count on their disciplined bowling and game-changing middle-order players.
