5 March 2025 witnessed a thrilling second semifinal of the ICC Champions Trophy where New Zealand delivered a commanding performance to defeat South Africa by 50 runs at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore With this victory New Zealand secured a place in the final where they will face India on 9 March in Dubai
The match was a showcase of New Zealands batting prowess and disciplined bowling attack while South Africa despite a valiant effort failed to chase down the 362 run target This semifinal had everything explosive batting disciplined bowling key moments of brilliance and some intense drama
Match Overview New Zealand vs South Africa
New Zealands Batting Brilliance in the First Innings
Winning the toss New Zealand opted to bat first on what seemed to be a perfect batting pitch The decision paid off as their batsmen put up a dominant display
Devon Conway 78 off 61 balls gave the team an aggressive start with a flurry of boundaries in the powerplay
Rachin Ravindra 108 off 98 balls played a composed yet attacking knock holding the innings together and accelerating at the right moments
Kane Williamson 102 off 87 balls continued his reputation as New Zealands batting anchor constructing a flawless century with elegant stroke play
The late order saw Jimmy Neesham 34 off 18 balls and Glenn Phillips 21 off 10 balls play quick fire innings to push the total beyond 360
South African bowlers struggled to contain the runs despite some early breakthroughs
Kagiso Rabada 10 0 76 2 was expensive but managed to take two crucial wickets
Anrich Nortje 10 0 82 1 leaked runs and failed to trouble the batsmen
Marco Jansen 10 0 68 1 also struggled against New Zealands aggressive approach
By the end of 50 overs New Zealand had posted 362 6 a total that was always going to be challenging
South Africas Response A Brave but Insufficient Chase
Chasing 362 South Africa needed a strong start However early wickets put them under immediate pressure
Quinton de Kock 22 off 18 balls looked aggressive but was dismissed while trying to play an attacking shot
Reeza Hendricks 16 off 21 balls failed to settle in adding to South Africas woes
Aiden Markram 55 off 47 balls played a fighting innings but couldnt convert his start into a big score
The standout performer was David Miller 100 off 67 balls not out who played a sensational innings hitting powerful shots all around the park
Heinrich Klaasen 42 off 33 balls also played a crucial role but couldnt sustain the momentum
New Zealand bowlers executed their plans effectively keeping South Africa under control
Mitchell Santner 10 0 43 3 was the star taking three crucial wickets in the middle overs
Trent Boult 10 0 57 2 and Matt Henry 10 0 62 2 provided early and late breakthroughs
Despite a spirited effort from South Africa they fell short by 50 runs managing only 312 9 in their 50 overs
Key Moments That Defined the Match
1 Rachin Ravindras Stability and Aggression
Rachin Ravindras century was the backbone of New Zealands innings He played with maturity rotating the strike when needed and attacking when opportunities arose His 108 run knock set the foundation for the huge total
2 Kane Williamsons Masterclass
The New Zealand captain played yet another classic innings His shot selection composure under pressure and ability to build partnerships ensured New Zealand never lost momentum His century ensured the team capitalized on the solid start
3 David Millers Lone Battle
Despite South Africa losing wickets at regular intervals David Miller stood firm His century kept South Africas hopes alive but the lack of support from the other end proved costly
4 Mitchell Santners Impactful Spell
In a high scoring game Santners spell of 3 for 43 in 10 overs turned the game in New Zealands favor He dismissed key batsmen breaking crucial partnerships and slowing down the scoring rate
Captains Reactions
Kane Williamson New Zealand Captain
This was a complete team effort Our batsmen set the tone and the bowlers executed the plans perfectly We knew South Africa has a strong batting lineup but our bowlers held their nerves We are excited for the final against India It will be a great challenge
Temba Bavuma South Africa Captain
We started well but lost wickets at key moments David Miller was exceptional but we needed more partnerships Credit to New Zealand for their disciplined approach This loss is tough to take but we will come back stronger
New Zealands Road to the Final
New Zealands journey in the Champions Trophy has been impressive
1 Group Stage
Defeated Pakistan by 6 wickets
Lost to India by 4 wickets
Defeated England by 5 wickets
2 Semifinal
Defeated South Africa by 50 runs
New Zealand has showcased both batting depth and bowling strength throughout the tournament
India vs New Zealand The Grand Final Awaits
With this victory New Zealand will now face India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final on 9 March at Dubai International Stadium This match promises to be a high voltage clash as both teams have been in top form
Head to Head in ICC Tournaments
New Zealand has a history of defeating India in ICC knockout games including the 2019 World Cup semifinal and the 2021 World Test Championship final
India on the other hand will be looking to avenge past losses and claim their third Champions Trophy title
Key Players to Watch in the Final
New Zealand Kane Williamson Rachin Ravindra Trent Boult Mitchell Santner
India Rohit Sharma Virat Kohli Jasprit Bumrah Ravindra Jadeja
Final Thoughts A Well Deserved Victory for New Zealand
New Zealands comprehensive win over South Africa highlighted their strength as a unit Their top order batsmen delivered bowlers stepped up and they maintained composure under pressure The upcoming final against India will be the ultimate test for the Black Caps as they aim to lift their maiden Champions Trophy
Cricket fans around the world now eagerly await the India vs New Zealand final on 9 March a clash that promises to be an epic showdown in Dubai