Introduction
The New Zealand vs South Africa semi-final match in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 was a thrilling encounter that kept cricket fans on the edge of their seats. The match, played on March 5, 2025, at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan, saw both teams battling for a place in the final. New Zealand put up a dominant performance, securing a 50-run victory and advancing to face India in the grand finale.
This article provides a detailed breakdown of the match, covering the best batting and bowling performances, key turning points, and post-match reactions.
Match Summary: New Zealand vs South Africa (March 5, 2025)
- Toss: New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat first.
- New Zealand Innings: Scored 362/6 in 50 overs.
- South Africa Innings: Managed 312/9 in 50 overs.
- Result: New Zealand won by 50 runs.
- Player of the Match: Rachin Ravindra (New Zealand) for his century.
Best Batting Performances
New Zealand’s Top Batters
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Rachin Ravindra – 108 (101 balls, 12 fours)
Rachin Ravindra played a key role in setting up a strong total for New Zealand. His innings was a masterclass in stroke-making and strike rotation. Batting at number three, he built a crucial partnership with Kane Williamson, ensuring that New Zealand had a solid foundation for a big total. -
Kane Williamson – 102 (94 balls, 9 fours, 2 sixes)
The New Zealand captain once again proved why he is one of the best batsmen in the world. His controlled innings and partnership with Ravindra (164 runs for the second wicket) helped New Zealand dominate the South African bowling attack. Williamson played a composed knock, balancing caution with aggression. -
Glenn Phillips – 42 (24 balls, 3 fours, 2 sixes)
Towards the end of the innings, Glenn Phillips played a quickfire cameo that gave New Zealand the extra boost they needed. His aggressive stroke play ensured that the team crossed the 360-run mark.
South Africa’s Top Batters
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David Miller – 100 (67 balls, 6 fours, 4 sixes)*
David Miller fought a lone battle for South Africa, scoring an unbeaten century. His aggressive batting in the latter half of the innings kept South Africa’s hopes alive. However, with little support from the other end, his efforts fell short of securing a win. -
Rassie van der Dussen – 69 (66 balls, 6 fours, 1 six)
Van der Dussen provided stability in the middle order and looked set to build a match-winning innings. However, his dismissal at a crucial stage of the game shifted momentum back to New Zealand.
Best Bowling Performances
New Zealand’s Top Bowlers
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Mitchell Santner – 3/43 (10 overs)
The New Zealand captain led from the front with an outstanding bowling performance. He took key wickets in the middle overs, removing South African captain Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen, which played a crucial role in restricting South Africa’s chase. -
Matt Henry – 2/43 (9 overs)
Matt Henry bowled with discipline and provided early breakthroughs for New Zealand. His ability to swing the ball and maintain tight lines made scoring difficult for the South African batters.
South Africa’s Top Bowlers
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Lungi Ngidi – 3/72 (10 overs)
Ngidi was South Africa’s most successful bowler, picking up three important wickets. However, he was expensive at times, which allowed New Zealand to post a high total. -
Kagiso Rabada – 2/70 (10 overs)
Rabada bowled with pace and aggression, troubling New Zealand’s top order. His early breakthroughs gave South Africa a glimmer of hope, but he couldn’t contain the onslaught from Ravindra and Williamson.
Turning Points of the Match
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Ravindra-Williamson Partnership (164 Runs)
This second-wicket stand laid the foundation for New Zealand’s big total. Their ability to rotate the strike and find boundaries consistently ensured that the team maintained a strong run rate throughout the innings. -
Santner’s Double Strike
Mitchell Santner dismissed Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen in quick succession, halting South Africa’s momentum. These wickets turned the game in New Zealand’s favor. -
Miller’s Fighting Century
David Miller’s attacking century gave South Africa a fighting chance. However, with wickets falling at the other end, he was left stranded, unable to complete what would have been an incredible chase.
Player of the Match
Rachin Ravindra was awarded Player of the Match for his 108-run innings, which played a crucial role in New Zealand’s victory. His composure and ability to anchor the innings set the tone for a high total.
Post-Match Reactions
Expert Analysis
- Cricket experts praised New Zealand’s batting depth and bowling discipline.
- Analysts highlighted Rachin Ravindra’s maturity in handling pressure situations.
- South African experts pointed out the lack of middle-order support for David Miller as a key factor in the loss.
Fan Reactions & Social Media Buzz
- Twitter: Fans celebrated New Zealand’s victory, with hashtags #NZvSA and #ChampionsTrophy trending.
- Instagram: Players posted behind-the-scenes moments, showing celebrations in the New Zealand dressing room.
- Facebook: Cricket communities debated South Africa’s performance and what could have been done differently.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
New Zealand’s Road to the Final
With this win, New Zealand advances to the Champions Trophy final, where they will face India. The team will focus on recovery and strategizing for the biggest match of the tournament.
South Africa’s Reflection
South Africa will need to regroup and analyze their performance. Despite their semi-final exit, positives such as David Miller’s form will provide confidence moving forward.
Conclusion
The New Zealand vs South Africa semi-final in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 was an unforgettable match filled with incredible performances. New Zealand’s well-rounded effort with both bat and ball ensured a dominant 50-run victory.
While South Africa fought hard, particularly through David Miller’s heroic century, they fell short due to key wickets at crucial moments. New Zealand now looks ahead to the final against India, aiming to lift the Champions Trophy.
Cricket fans around the world eagerly await the ultimate showdown in the final, where New Zealand will look to continue their dominant form and claim the prestigious trophy. Read More
FAQs
1. Who won the New Zealand vs South Africa semi-final match in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025?
New Zealand emerged victorious in the high-stakes New Zealand vs South Africa semi-final clash held on March 5, 2025, at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. The Kiwis secured a 50-run victory, advancing to the final of the Champions Trophy, where they will face India.
The match saw a strong performance from Rachin Ravindra (108 runs) and Kane Williamson (102 runs), helping New Zealand post a mammoth 362/6 in 50 overs. In response, South Africa fought hard, with David Miller scoring an unbeaten 100, but they fell short at 312/9 in 50 overs.
2. Who was the top run-scorer in the New Zealand vs South Africa semi-final match?
The top run-scorer in the New Zealand vs South Africa match was Rachin Ravindra, who played a sensational knock of 108 runs off 101 balls, including 12 boundaries. His innings was crucial in setting up New Zealand’s commanding total.
For South Africa, David Miller was the highest scorer, playing a valiant innings of 100 off 67 balls*, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure. However, with wickets falling around him, his efforts weren’t enough to take his team over the line.
3. Which bowler had the best performance in the New Zealand vs South Africa match?
The best bowling performance in the New Zealand vs South Africa semi-final came from Mitchell Santner of New Zealand, who picked up 3 wickets for 43 runs in 10 overs. His wickets included Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen, which significantly impacted South Africa’s chase.
For South Africa, Lungi Ngidi was the most effective bowler, taking 3 wickets for 72 runs. However, his economy rate was on the higher side, allowing New Zealand to put up a massive total.
4. What was the biggest turning point in the New Zealand vs South Africa match?
One of the biggest turning points in the New Zealand vs South Africa semi-final was Mitchell Santner’s double strike, where he dismissed both Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen in quick succession. This moment completely shifted the momentum in New Zealand’s favor, as South Africa lost two key batters in a crucial phase of the game.
Another major turning point was the 164-run partnership between Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson, which laid the foundation for New Zealand’s big total. This stand ensured that South Africa had a mountain to climb during their chase.
5. Who was named Player of the Match in New Zealand vs South Africa?
The Player of the Match in the New Zealand vs South Africa semi-final was Rachin Ravindra. His 108-run innings played a crucial role in setting up New Zealand’s dominant total of 362/6.
Apart from his batting, Ravindra also contributed with tight bowling and athletic fielding, making him the standout performer in this high-pressure match.
6. How did Kane Williamson perform in the New Zealand vs South Africa match?
Kane Williamson played a captain’s knock in the New Zealand vs South Africa semi-final, scoring 102 runs off 94 balls, including 9 fours and 2 sixes. His partnership with Rachin Ravindra (164 runs for the second wicket) was the backbone of New Zealand’s innings.
Williamson’s innings was a perfect blend of patience and aggression, ensuring that New Zealand maintained a strong run rate throughout their innings. His performance was crucial in securing a victory for the Kiwis.
7. How did South Africa’s batting lineup perform in the semi-final against New Zealand?
South Africa’s batting lineup showed resilience, but losing wickets at key moments hurt their chances of chasing down New Zealand’s total.
- David Miller (100 off 67 balls)* played a magnificent innings but lacked enough support from the middle order.
- Rassie van der Dussen (69 off 66 balls) provided some stability but got out at a critical stage.
- Temba Bavuma (34 off 42 balls) and Quinton de Kock (28 off 25 balls) started well but failed to convert their innings into big scores.
Despite Miller’s brilliance, South Africa fell 50 runs short of their target.
The New Zealand vs South Africa match created a huge buzz on social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
- Twitter: The match trended worldwide with hashtags like #NZvSA, #ChampionsTrophy, and #RavindraMasterclass. Fans praised Rachin Ravindra’s innings and discussed South Africa’s missed opportunities.
- Instagram: New Zealand players shared behind-the-scenes moments and celebrations after their victory.
- Facebook: Cricket fan pages were filled with discussions on New Zealand’s dominance and South Africa’s struggles under pressure.
Overall, the match was widely discussed, with fans appreciating the thrilling contest.
9. What are the upcoming matches after New Zealand vs South Africa?
After their victory in the New Zealand vs South Africa semi-final, New Zealand now moves on to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final, where they will face India.
- Final Match: New Zealand vs India (March 9, 2025) at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
- South Africa’s Next Matches: The Proteas will focus on upcoming bilateral series and international tournaments to rebuild after their semi-final exit.
The New Zealand vs India final promises to be an exciting clash, with both teams in great form.
10. How did the New Zealand vs South Africa match impact ICC rankings?
New Zealand’s victory in the New Zealand vs South Africa semi-final had a significant impact on the ICC team rankings.
- New Zealand climbed up in the ICC ODI rankings, strengthening their position as one of the top teams in world cricket.
- South Africa dropped in ranking points, reflecting their semi-final exit.
- Individual rankings:
- Rachin Ravindra moved up in the batting rankings after his stellar century.
- Mitchell Santner gained ranking points in the ICC bowling charts due to his impactful spell.
With New Zealand heading to the final, their players have a chance to further improve their rankings with a strong performance against India.
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