Champions ODI Cup 2025 

Semi Final 2: SA vs NZ

Preview

Brace yourself for a titanic clash in the Champions ODI Cup 2025 as the Proteas take on the Black Caps in Semi Final-2 of the tournament. The men in green will be oozing with confidence after their emphatic win against England in their final league match. The Kiwis on the other would look to bounce back after a disappointing outing against India. 

The South Africans have done exceptionally well in the tournament. The batting unit has excelled, and the bowling prowess looks good. It will make them a confident side coming into this encounter, New Zealand did lose their last match, and the batting department did not deliver the goods. Skipper Santner would be hoping his batters step up and rise to the occasion. 

Team Bavuma’s side has looked decent in both their victories. They had to share points with Australia and ended their group at the top of the table. They decimated England in the last match, registering an easy seven wicket win. Bavuma would want his side to ride this momentum and confirm a place in the next round with another win.

Ryan Rickelton has played well up top and will be eager to continue his good run with the bat. Bavuma will have the responsibility to keep the scoreboard ticking during the middle overs. Rassie Van Der Dussen and Heinrich Klassen will have the onus to provide stability in the lower middle order whereas the trio of Davi Miller, Wian Mulder and Marco Jansen will look to give the late flourish down the order. 

The bowling unit will feel confident after doing good in both wins. The team will rely on the pace duo of Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen for the early strikes. We’ve seen the Kiwis top order struggle against the new ball. Kagiso Rabada and Mulder will be eyeing to make the most of the good form they found in the last game. Markram and Maharaj will be looking to maximise the spin friendly conditions. 

Mitchell Santner and co suffered their maiden loss of the tournament against India in the last game. They would however fancy their chances against a relatively inexperienced SA side. In the batting department they possess the likes of Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell and Kane Williamson. Will Young has also looked sharp up top. Rachin Ravindra missed out in the last game but he will be keen to be amongst the runs. Glenn Phillips and Micheal Bracewell will be tasked with the late blitz. 

NZ’s bowling has been their strong suit in the tournament. Matt Henry, Will O’ Rourke and Kyle Jamieson form a menacing pace trio. In the spin department, they have a variety of options. Bracewell, Phillips, Ravindra are very capable spin bowlers. Santner will spearhead this spin attack.

Ahead of this tantalising fixture, let us have a look at how the teams fare out on Wednesday. 

Match Details

Match: SA vs NZ, 2nd Semi-Final, Champions ODI Cup, 2025

Date: Wednesday, March 05, 2025

Time: 2:30 PM

Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore



Squad News

SA: SA has done surprisingly well with the resources they have. We believe they will take the field with the same playing XI. 

NZ: NZ along with IND has been the standout team in this tournament. The Black Caps most likely will go with the same playing XI that competed against India. 

Pitch and Weather Report

Gadaffi Stadium, Lahore is known for providing assistance to the batters. The outfield is lightning quick, which makes run scoring easy. Bowlers, especially the quicks, have always found it difficult to get going. Spin bowlers will enjoy bowling here as the ball occasionally takes vicious turns. 316 is the average first innings total at this ground.

Clear skies are predicted for the day. 

SA vs NZ Squads

SA: Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Aiden Markram (c), Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Temba Bavuma, Corbin Bosch, Tabraiz Shamsi, George Linde, Tony de Zorzi

NZ: Tom Latham (wk), Mitchell Santner (c), Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, William ORourke, Jacob Duffy, Devon Conway, Mark Chapman, Nathan Smith

SA vs NZ Probable Playing XIs

SA: Temba Bavuma (c), Ryan Rickelton, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi

NZ: Mitchell Santner (c), Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, William O'Rourke

Match Prediction

We are backing NZ to win this encounter and seal a spot in the final. 

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