New Zealand tamed South Africa by 50 runs in the 2nd semi-final of the 2025 Champions Trophy at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Wednesday. The Kiwis were too strong for South Africa in all departments and won comfortably. The meek surrender of South Africa wasn’t pleasant as NZ always looked in control in what was a one-sided clash.
With this win, the Black Caps have set up a final against India on Sunday, March 9. New Zealand have reached their 3rd Champions Trophy final.
South Africa faltered in the run-chase of 363, ending up with a score of 312/9. It was New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner, whose 3/43 made the difference in this tall chase. He dismissed Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen, and Heinrich Klaasen to tilt the game in his team’s favor.
David Miller’s unbeaten 100 from 67 balls helped SA reach 312/9. His blitz in the end, which saw him score 48 runs alone in the final three overs, was something to cheer about for SA.
This is South Africa’s second straight defeat in the last four ICC ODI tournaments. They failed to turn up on a vital day, highlighting their lapse in the business end of big tournaments.
Earlier, Rachin Ravindra (108 off 101 balls) and Kane Williamson (102 off 94) both smashed respective tons for the Kiwis and shared a record-breaking 164-run stand (2nd wicket). Daryl Mitchell (49) and Glenn Phillips (49*) played the role of finishers alongside a brief cameo from Michael Bracewell.
The South Africa bowlers, who were ordinary, failed to control the Kiwis’ flight. Lungi Ngidi managed 3/72, whereas Kagiso Rabada picked 2/70.
Here we present 3 key moments that helped NZ annihilate South Africa in semi-final 2 of the Champions Trophy.
A record 164-run stand between Ravindra and Williamson
A big match needed something special, and the record 164-run stand for the 2nd wicket between Ravindra and Williamson was just that. This became New Zealand’s highest partnership for any wicket in the Champions Trophy and the highest stand against South Africa in the tournament’s history. On one hand, it was Ravindra who smashed his 2nd century of the tournament and 5th in ICC ODI tournaments. And then there was Williamson, who got to his 48th international ton after Ravindra’s dismissal.
Williamson joined Ravindra when NZ were 48/1 after 7.5 overs. A majestic stand followed as the two kept NZ in sync for a big score. Williamson started on a jittery note before settling in. On the other hand, Ravindra looked solid from the start and played his shots to perfection. He got to his 100 off 93 balls as NZ kept their scoring rate in excess of 6. Williamson, who was on 62 off 74 balls when Ravindra got to his ton, opened up thereafter. He reached 80 off 77 balls briskly just before Ravindra’s dismissal.
The duo mixed caution with aggression and ensured that the runs kept coming at a good pace. This was a perfect example of sound and mature batting on a good surface.
NZ make merry against ordinary Proteas bowling in the death overs
Williamson got to his century in the 40th over from 91 balls before getting dismissed. After 40 overs, the Kiwis were 252/3, scoring well above six runs an over. What followed thereafter was bloodshed as NZ added 110 runs off the final 10.
SA did well to start the death overs by conceding nine runs from the 1st two overs. However, the 43rd over produced 13 runs. After a quiet 44th over, SA were belted as Mitchell and Phillips smashed 17 runs in over number 45. This was followed by Mitchell brushing aside Jansen for 4 successive fours in the 46th over that produced 18 runs. Despite Mitchell’s dismissal in the 47th over, NZ managed to derive 10 runs. Mitchell and Michael Bracewell plundered Rabada for 19 runs thereafter. After 6 runs scored in the 49th, NZ ended strongly with 13 off the final over.
Notably, 66 runs came off the last 5 overs at a rate of close to 14 runs an over. It was T20 stuff out there and SA were guilty of being predictable. Phillips’ 27-ball 49* was pure gold in the death overs.
Santner’s three big fishes with the ball help NZ gain total control
New Zealand skipper Santner showed why he is a big match player. When the need came to come out and step up for his side, the left-arm spinner turned up to help New Zealand turn the screws on South Africa.
It was Santner who broke a 105-run stand for the second wicket of Bavuma and van der Dussen. SA were below the asking rate, but the scoreboard was moving along, and Santner’s dismissal of Bavuma put the Proteas in a spot of bother. A slower ball spun away after being tossed up, but Bavuma, who was on the charge for a big shot, managed to connect properly and got a thick edge.
Van der Dussen was hoping to get along and form another stand but Santner dismissed the danger man. The final ball of the 27th over saw Santner bowl a ripper. A ball was angled into the batter as it straightened after pitching. Van der Dussen was on the front foot to work the ball and was cleaned up.
And then, the final nail in the coffin arrived when SA lost Heinrich Klaasen moments after van der Dussen departed. From 161/2, suddenly, they were 167/4. Klaasen’s decision to smack one over long-on saw his flat shot end up in a wicket. It was Santner who removed Klaasen to complete a three-fer.