South Africa vs New Zealand Highlights: The second semi-final of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy played between South Africa and New Zealand was very different from the iconic 1st semi-final, which witnessed the two modern-day giants of limited-overs cricket.
If consistency is what one desires in the 50-over format of the limited-overs format, one team that has stood in ICC tournaments is New Zealand. Though the Kiwis have yet to win a World Cup or even a T20 World Cup, they have been very regular in the knockouts.
New Zealand qualified for the World Cup semi-finals in 2007, 2011, and 2023 and the finals in 2015 and 2019. They have been terrific in the 50-over format, while in recent times even South Africa has been putting on a standout performance in the knockouts of the ICC 50-over events.
The toss coin once again fell in favour of Mitchell Santner, who opted to bat on the best possible batting track of Lahore.
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South Africa vs New Zealand Highlights Today
South Africa vs New Zealand Highlights: Ravishing Ravindra and Wise Williamson star as Kiwis set a mammoth target
With a formidable start in the powerplay with Will Young and Rachin Ravindra putting some pressure onto the South African pacers, the Kiwi veteran Kane Williamson, alongside Rachin Ravindra, put on a huge third wicket stand for the Blackcaps.
Both batters scored stunning hundreds before being dismissed, but by that time they had set the stage for their middle order to show their explosive sets. Mitchell’s 49 and Phillips’ 49* helped New Zealand set a huge target in front of the opposition. New Zealand’s 362 is now the highest team total in the Champions Trophy and also the second-highest score in an ICC limited-overs knockout game.
South Africa vs. New Zealand Highlights: David Miller tries his heart out but fall short of finals
South Africa’s innings did not have the best of starts, with their skipper Bavuma especially struggling early on against Jamieson and Rickelton getting out to Matt Henry, the softest of dismissals on the field.
Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen put on a 100-run stand as they advanced towards the set target, but the rate of runs didn’t seem as quick as needed for such a huge chase. Mitchell Santner drew curtains on the stunning chase of South Africa as the captain confirmed New Zealand’s entry into the finals of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
Glenn Phillips stars next with the ball since he now picked wickets against the Proteas tailenders, thus ending the South African innings and marching into finals with a huge win in the semis, despite David Miller’s stunning hundred grinding the Kiwi bowlers towards the end of their innings.
South Africa vs New Zealand Highlights: New Zealand stages the highest Champions Trophy total; ready to take on India in Dubai in the finals
South Africa exits from the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, while New Zealand will advance into the finals and will head to the UAE to practice for the upcoming final, which will be played in Dubai on the 9th of March 2025, as India awaits them in the finals. This will be the first time India will play against New Zealand in an ICC final.
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