South Africa vs New Zealand Champions Trophy 2025 2nd Semi-Final Highlights

Introduction

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 witnessed a thrilling 2nd semi-final between South Africa and New Zealand at The Oval. Despite a heroic century from David Miller, South Africa fell short by 50 runs, allowing New Zealand to secure their spot in the final. Let’s dive deep into the match highlights, key performances, and how the game unfolded.

Match Overview

• Match: South Africa vs New Zealand, 2nd Semi-Final, ICC Champions Trophy 2025

• Venue: Dubai International Stadium

• Date: 5/3/2025

• Result: New Zealand won by 50 runs.

New Zealand’s Batting Brilliance

Winning the toss and opting to bat first, New Zealand set a formidable total of 362/6 in 50 overs. Their top-order displayed resilience against the Proteas' pace attack.

Key Batting Performances:

• Rachin Ravindra (108 off 101 balls): A well-crafted century, mixing caution with aggression.

• Kane Williamson (102 off 94 balls): The Kiwi skipper led from the front, guiding the innings expertly.

• Glenn Phillips (49 off 27 balls): A late-innings surge, hitting crucial boundaries to push NZ past 361.

South Africa’s bowlers, led by Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje, struggled to contain the aggressive Kiwi batting lineup, with both pacers conceding over six runs per over.

South Africa’s Chase: Miller’s Lone Battle

Chasing 362, South Africa got off to a shaky start, losing both Quinton de Kock and Temba Bavuma early. The Kiwi bowlers kept the pressure high, making scoring difficult for the Proteas.

Key Batting Performances:

• David Miller (100 off 67 balls): Played an innings of a lifetime, scoring a blistering century but couldn’t get South Africa over the line as they fell 50 runs short of New Zealand’s set target. Miller scored his ton with the help of 10 fours and 4 sixes and took just 67 deliveries.

• Rassie van der Dussen (69 off 66 balls): Provided stability but couldn’t accelerate at the right time.

• Temba Bavuma (56 off 71 balls): Held one end but struggled to keep up with the required rate.

With big hitters like Ryan Rickelton, Aiden Markram, and Heinrich Klaasen failing to fire, the Kiwis, led by Mitchell Santner’s 3 wickets, piled on the pressure as the Proteas wilted in another ICC knockout match.

South Africa eventually scored 312/9 in 50 overs.

New Zealand’s Bowling Masterclass

The Kiwi bowlers delivered an all-round performance, choking South Africa’s chase.

Key Bowling Performances:

• Mitchell Santner (3/43 in 10 overs): He controlled the middle overs with his left-arm spin and took key wickets.

• Glenn Phillips (2/27 in 3 overs): He consistently troubled the Proteas' top order with swing and accuracy.

• Matt Henry (2/43 in 7 overs): He used his pace effectively to break key partnerships.

into their bowling lineup, they are the best bowling attack in the semi-final match. and no one can take action against the NZ bowling attack.

Turning Points of the Match

1. Rachin Ravindra & Kane Williamson’s Centuries: Their well-paced knocks provided a solid foundation for NZ.

2. Glenn Phillips’ Late Flourish: His aggressive 49 off 27 balls gave New Zealand the extra cushion.

3. Early Wickets for South Africa: Losing de Kock and Bavuma early put the Proteas on the back foot.

4. Miller’s Lone Warrior Act: Despite his brilliant knock, lack of support from the middle order led to South Africa’s downfall.

They are absolute cinema in the semi-final match, and NZ batter is the outstanding performance in the semi-final match.

New Zealand's Outstanding Performance in the ICC Champions Trophy

Throughout the campaign, New Zealand has been in excellent form, displaying remarkable consistency in both bowling and batting. They have proven to be incredibly resilient in knockout games, and their win solidifies their standing as one of the best teams in the world of cricket.

What’s Next? The Grand Finale – IND vs NZ

With this win, New Zealand moves on to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final, where they will face India in a blockbuster clash.

• Final Match: India vs New Zealand

• Date: 9th March 2025

• Time: 2:30 PM onwards

• Venue: Dubai International Stadium

• Win Probability: India (69%) – New Zealand (31%)

The stage is set for an epic showdown between two cricketing powerhouses. Can New Zealand lift their maiden Champions Trophy, or will India continue their dominance in ICC tournaments?

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In conclusion

In the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final, New Zealand defeated South Africa by 50 runs thanks to an outstanding all-around effort. The Proteas lost despite a heroic century from David Miller. Cricket fans around the world are excited to see if the Kiwis can win the Champions Trophy for the first time as they get ready for their match against India.

For additional information, post-match analysis, and professional viewpoints on the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, stay tuned!