South Africa vs New Zealand: ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Semi-Final Preview
South Africa and New Zealand are set to face off in a high-stakes semi-final clash at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on March 5th, 2025, at 2:30 PM IST. The winner will secure a spot in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final, making this a must-watch encounter.
SA vs NZ Match Preview
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has reached its penultimate stage, with South Africa and New Zealand vying for a place in the final. South Africa topped Group B with two wins in three matches, showcasing their dominance. Their final group game against England was a display of their batting prowess, with Rassie van der Dussen (72) and Heinrich Klaasen (64) leading them to a convincing 7-wicket victory.
New Zealand, on the other hand, finished second in Group A. Despite a 44-run loss to India in their final group match, they demonstrated resilience throughout the tournament. Both teams will look to exploit each other’s weaknesses in this crucial knockout game, with South Africa relying on their strong batting lineup and New Zealand counting on their potent bowling attack.
SA vs NZ Head-to-Head Record
| Teams | Matches Won |
|---|---|
| South Africa | 42 |
| New Zealand | 26 |
Weather & Pitch Report
- Temperature: 19°C
- Weather Forecast: Light Rain
- Pitch Behaviour: Batting-friendly
- Best Suited To: Pace bowlers
- Average 1st innings score: 302
Record of Chasing Teams
Teams chasing have struggled at this venue, with a winning percentage of just 35%.
Predicted Playing XIs
South Africa:
Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram (c), Heinrich Klaasen (wk), David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi
New Zealand:
Rachin Ravindra, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Will O’Rourke
Dream11 Fantasy Cricket Tips
Captaincy Picks
- Rachin Ravindra (NZ): A left-handed batsman and left-arm spinner, he adds value with both bat and ball. Despite scoring only 6 runs in the last game, he picked up a crucial wicket.
- Heinrich Klaasen (SA): A dynamic middle-order batsman, he scored 64 runs in the previous match with aggressive stroke play.
Top Picks
- Kane Williamson (NZ): The right-handed batsman anchored the innings with 81 runs in the last game, showcasing his composure under pressure.
- Marco Jansen (SA): The left-arm fast bowler claimed 3 wickets in the last match, proving his ability to swing the game with both bat and ball.
Budget Picks
- Ryan Rickelton (SA): A consistent opener who provides stability at the top of the order.
- Glenn Phillips (NZ): A middle-order batsman known for his aggressive style and part-time off-spin.
Captain and Vice-Captain Choices
- Captain: Rachin Ravindra, Heinrich Klaasen
- Vice-Captain: Marco Jansen, Kane Williamson
Dream11 Teams
Team 1:
- Keepers: Heinrich Klaasen, Ryan Rickelton, Tom Latham
- Batsmen: Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra (c), Rassie van der Dussen
- All-rounders: Marco Jansen (vc), Mitchell Santner, Michael Bracewell
- Bowlers: Matt Henry, Kagiso Rabada
Team 2:
- Keepers: Heinrich Klaasen (c), Ryan Rickelton
- Batsmen: Kane Williamson (vc), Rachin Ravindra, Rassie van der Dussen
- All-rounders: Marco Jansen, Mitchell Santner, Michael Bracewell
- Bowlers: Matt Henry, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj
Players to Avoid
- Daryl Mitchell: 7.0 credits, 23 points in last match
- Tristan Stubbs: 7.0 credits, 1 point in last match
Expert Advice
- Captaincy Choice: Rachin Ravindra (SL), Heinrich Klaasen (GL)
- Punt Picks: Keshav Maharaj, Tom Latham
- Dream11 Combination: 3-3-3-2
Match Winner Prediction
New Zealand’s balanced team composition gives them a slight edge over South Africa in this semi-final clash.
Stay tuned for an exciting contest as South Africa and New Zealand battle for a place in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final!
