Williamson, Rachin stars as New Zealand thumped South Africa in the Champions Trophy 2025 Semi-Final

 

File: New Zealand and South Africa players credit-ICC

Overview

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 2nd semi-final was played between New Zealand and South Africa at the Gaddafi Stadium Lahore on March 05, 2025. Earlier, India beat Australia and qualified for the Final, which will be played on March 09, 2025.

It was a knockout game, and the winner would set the final against India, so both teams were charged up. A huge crowd turned up to watch this game and support both sides. New Zealand and South Africa had very good players and match-winners, and each team was hopeful for their premium players to perform on the big stage.

Team and Playing 11

Both the teams went into this all-important match with the same playing 11, which they fielded in their last game. Although New Zealand lost the last match against India but they decided not to make any change to the final playing 11.

1st Innings and Key Moments

New Zealand won the toss, and they decided to bat 1st on the track that was looking quite decent to bat on. It was expected to be a high-scoring game. Kiwi's openers started aggressively on the pitch, which was offering nothing to the Pacers. South Africa struck in the 8th over to dismiss Will Young at the score of 48. Kane Williamson joined Rachin Ravindra, and both the batters started to build the innings again, which was already going at a decent pace.

    Photo: Kane Williamson and Henrich Klassan credit-ICC

South African bowlers were unable to trouble both batters as they piled on runs at pace with some eye-catching shots all over the ground. Rachin Ravindra played a fine knock at a very good pace. He dominated the bowlers with risk-free batting and completed his 5th Ton in the ICC events. 

At the score of 212  in the 33rd over, Rabada struck back for South Africa to dismiss Rachin Ravindra, but the stage was well set as the Kiwis were well on course to a big total. Kane Williamson completed his 15th ODI Ton in the process. He was in fine touch, as usual, and got good applause from the crowd for his top knock.

As the stage was well set, New Zealand's other batters Daryl Mitchel, Glen Philips and Tom Latham made sure that they will make it count as Kiwis set a big total of 362 in their 50 overs. It was a commanding total as New Zealand had a very good bowling attack to defend it.

    Photo: Kane Williamson credit-ICC

2nd Innings and Key Moments

While chasing a big total of 362, South Africa started aggressively, but they lost Riyan Rickelton, as he was dismissed by Matt Henry in the 5th over of the Innings. Rassie Vanderdusen joined Temba Bavuma and both the batters started to rebuild the Innings.

Both the batters played some top-quality shots and kept the required rate under control. But Kiwis' Introduction of spin started the run squeeze. As in an attempt to up the scoring rate, captain Temba departed after playing a good knock of 56 off 71 balls. Aiden Markram and Rassie Vander Dusen started to rebuild again, but the required rate was creeping due to fine bowling by the Kiwis As a result, Rassie Vander Dusen departed courtesy of some fine bowling by Mitchel Santner. He scored a fine 69 off 66 balls.

    Photo: Mitchel Santner, Rassie Vander Dusen, Tom Latham Credits-ICC

After Rassie Vanderdusen's departure, wickets started to tumble without much resistance as New Zealand took control of the match. David Miller was the only batter who played a gutsy knock and completed his quick-fire hundred off just 67 balls. But none of the other batters gave him good assistance as South Africa fell well short of the chase, and the Kiwis won the match by 50 runs.

Top Performers of the Match

1st Innings

• Rachin Ravindra scored 108 off 101 balls
• Kane Williamson scored 102  off 94 balls.
• Glenn Philips scored 49 runs off just 27 balls
• Lungi Nigidi got 3 for 72 in his 10 overs

2nd Innings

• David Miller scored 100 off just 67 balls
• Rassie Vanderdusen scored 69 off 66 balls
• Mitchel Santner got 3 for 43 in his 10 overs

Player of the Match

    Photo: Rachin Ravindra credit-ICC and TOI

Rachin Ravindra got player of the match award for his tereffic 108 off just 104 balls and he also got 1 wicket for 21 runs with his bowling in 5 overs. The day belonged to his fine performance both with bat and ball. He was absolutely on top of his game. The crowd would have enjoyed his batting a lot.

Where was the match lost?

New Zealand batters Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra scored 164 runs in just 152 balls for the 2nd wicket partnership in the middle phase of the innings. South African bowlers were unable to put any pressure on the batters as they scored with ease and eventually got big hundreds. They set the platform for a big total, and that was the phase of the game where the match drifted significantly towards New Zealand.

    Photo: Kane Williamson and David Miller credit-ICC

What's next for both teams?

Now South Africa is eliminated from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, whereas New Zealand has qualified for the final, which they will play on March 09, 2025, against India at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

So, what do you think will win the ICC Champions Trophy 2025? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.