SA vs NZ: In the second semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, South Africa and New Zealand will face off. This high-voltage match is set to take place on March 5 at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Both teams have made it to the semi-finals after impressive performances in the group stage, and now they are desperate to secure a spot in the final.
The question now is, which of these two powerhouses will win the battle for a place in the final? What do recent performances and statistics say?”
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Match Details:
- Date: 5th March, 2025
- Time: 2:30 PM (IST)
- Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Overview: The second semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be held between South Africa and New Zealand at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on March 5. Both teams enter this high-stakes contest after dominant performances in the group stage, and they will be eager to secure a spot in the final of the ongoing tournament. South Africa, the inaugural Champions Trophy winners, will be looking to avenge their heartbreaking loss to New Zealand in the 2015 ODI World Cup semi-final, where the Kiwis won in a nail-biting match to enter the final. Now, the Proteas are ready to change history.
Pitch Report: Gaddafi Stadium has become a haven for batters in recent years. With its perfect bounce and pace, it offers minimal help to fast bowlers, but the surface allows batters to thrive. As the match progresses, however, spinners could come into play. Out of the 76 ODI matches played at this ground, the team batting first has won 38 times, while the chasing team has emerged victorious on 36 occasions. The average first-innings score in ODIs at Gaddafi Stadium stands at 255.
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SA vs NZ Team Analysis:
South Africa: South Africa, the 1998 Champions Trophy winners, have been in excellent form during the group stage. They finished at the top of Group B, with victories over Afghanistan and England. Their game against Australia was washed out due to rain. The Proteas have also displayed outstanding performances in ICC events over the past two years, including reaching the semi-final of the 2023 ODI World Cup, the final of the 2024 T20 World Cup, and the final of the World Test Championship in 2025. With a strong batting lineup and a reliable bowling attack, South Africa will look to stamp their authority in this high-pressure match.
South Africa Squad for Champions Trophy 2025:
- Temba Bavuma (c)
- Corbin Bosch
- Tony de Zorzi
- Marco Jansen
- Heinrich Klaasen
- Keshav Maharaj
- Aiden Markram
- David Miller
- Wiaan Mulder
- Lungi Ngidi
- Kagiso Rabada
- Ryan Rickelton
- Tabraiz Shamsi
- Tristan Stubbs
- Rassie van der Dussen
New Zealand: New Zealand have also put in solid performances in the group stage, finishing second in Group A with two wins from three matches. Despite their loss to India in their last group-stage match, where they failed to chase down a 250-run target, they remain a formidable side.
The Black Caps have a well-balanced attack, combining powerful bowlers with a capable batting order. Kane Williamson’s men will look to break their 25-year drought and clinch their second Champions Trophy title, following their triumph in the 2000 edition.
New Zealand Squad for Champions Trophy 2025:
- Mitchell Santner (c)
- Michael Bracewell
- Mark Chapman
- Devon Conway
- Kyle Jamieson
- Matt Henry
- Tom Latham
- Daryl Mitchell
- Will O’Rourke
- Glenn Phillips
- Rachin Ravindra
- Nathan Smith
- Kane Williamson
- Will Young
- Jacob Duffy
Champions Trophy 2025 Match Prediction:
While New Zealand might be slightly favored to win this semi-final based on their recent form and consistency, South Africa’s formidable lineup and their hunger for revenge make them a tough contender.
The battle between New Zealand’s bowling attack and South Africa’s power-packed batting lineup promises to be an intense and thrilling encounter. As both teams battle for a spot in the final, cricket fans can expect a high-intensity clash at Gaddafi Stadium.
Head-to-Head Record in ODIs: South Africa and New Zealand have faced each other 73 times in ODI cricket, with South Africa holding a clear advantage with 42 wins compared to New Zealand’s 26.
However, New Zealand has a knack for performing in knockout games, making them a dangerous opponent despite South Africa’s historical dominance in this format.
Head-to-Head in the Last 5 ODIs:
- Feb 10, 2025: New Zealand won by 6 wickets (Lahore)
- Nov 1, 2023: South Africa won by 190 runs (Pune)
- Jun 19, 2019: New Zealand won by 4 wickets (Birmingham)
- Mar 4, 2017: South Africa won by 6 wickets (Auckland)
- Mar 1, 2017: New Zealand won by 7 wickets (Hamilton)
Head-to-Head Stats in ODIs:
- South Africa Wins: 42
- New Zealand Wins: 26
- No Result: 5
Key Stats:
- Most Runs (South Africa): Jacques Kallis (1449)
- Most Runs (New Zealand): Stephen Fleming (1280)
- Most Wickets (South Africa): Shaun Pollock (48)
- Most Wickets (New Zealand): Chris Cairns (37)
Records at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore: South Africa and New Zealand have faced off just once at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore during the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025. In that match, New Zealand successfully chased down the target set by South Africa, securing a 6-wicket victory.
Gaddafi Stadium ODI Stats:
- Total Matches: 76
- Matches Won Batting First: 38
- Matches Won Chasing: 36
- Average First Innings Score: 256
Key Records at Gaddafi Stadium:
- Highest Total: 375/3 (50 overs) by Pakistan vs Zimbabwe (2015)
- Lowest Total: 75/10 (22.5 overs) by Pakistan vs Sri Lanka (2009)
- Highest Successful Chase: 356/5 (47.3 overs) by Australia vs England (2025)
- Most Runs: Shoaib Malik (1030)
- Most Sixes: Shoaib Malik (18)
South Africa vs New Zealand: Who Has the Upper Hand? As the two teams prepare to face off in this crucial semi-final, the overall head-to-head record slightly favors South Africa. However, New Zealand’s recent success in ICC events and their ability to win knockout matches makes them a tough competitor. The Proteas will need to bring their A-game to overcome the Black Caps’ resilient and balanced squad.
Conclusion:
In this highly anticipated semi-final, both South Africa and New Zealand have their strengths and weaknesses. South Africa’s explosive batting lineup led by Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, and Aiden Markram will be crucial in setting a competitive total. Meanwhile, New Zealand’s bowling attack, spearheaded by Matt Henry and Kyle Jamieson, will look to restrict South Africa’s batting firepower.
While New Zealand has been the more consistent side in recent years, South Africa has the experience and talent to rise to the occasion and clinch a spot in the final. Ultimately, the outcome of this high-pressure clash could come down to key individual performances and tactical decisions made on the day.
South Africa vs New Zealand Champions Trophy 2025 – A Thrilling Contest Awaits!
With the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on the line, both teams will be aiming to make it to the final on March 9. Fans around the world are in for a spectacle as South Africa takes on New Zealand in the semi-final of the prestigious tournament. Be sure to catch the action live on March 5 at 2:30 PM (IST) from Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore!