Champions Trophy 2025’s second semifinal will see South Africa and New Zealand face off. The match will be played at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan. Both teams are among the best in the world but have never won a World Cup. However, both have previously won the Champions Trophy. South Africa lifted the trophy in 1998, while New Zealand won it in 2000 when it was known as the ICC Knockout. Both teams will be eager to claim the title once again.
For South Africa, the Champions Trophy holds special significance as the country will co-host the 2027 edition along with neighboring Zimbabwe and Namibia. New Zealand, having reached the final of the 2019 World Cup, will be determined to make it to the final again. Both teams seem to have a strong chance of advancing.
Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore is expected to be a high-scoring venue. The conditions are favorable for batting, and both teams have the ability to post big scores. Fans can look forward to an exciting contest filled with runs. However, both teams have faced challenges due to injuries in their fast bowling attacks, and their spin departments differ significantly.
South Africa has opted to go with only one specialist spinner, Keshav Maharaj, whose economy rate on this pitch is noteworthy. New Zealand, on the other hand, has included both captain Mitchell Santner and off-spinner Michael Bracewell in their best playing eleven. This sets up an evenly matched contest. New Zealand eliminated South Africa from both the 2011 and 2015 World Cups, but it is important to remember that their last meeting in an ICC knockout match was a decade ago, and much has changed since then.
Probable playing 11 for South Africa: Temba Bavuma (captain), Ryan Rickelton, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen (wicketkeeper), David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi.
Probable playing 11 for New Zealand: Will Young, Rachin Ravindra/Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wicketkeeper), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (captain), Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Will O’Rourke.
SA vs NZ Dream11 Team Prediction: Possible Dream11 playing eleven for South Africa vs New Zealand semifinal match (Team 1)
- Captain: Kane Williamson
- Vice-captain: Heinrich Klaasen
- Wicketkeepers: Tom Latham, Heinrich Klaasen
- Batsmen: Kane Williamson, Temba Bavuma, Rachin Ravindra
- All-rounders: Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, Marco Jansen
- Bowlers: Matt Henry, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi
Also Read- SA vs NZ- Gaddafi Stadium Pitch Report, ODI Records; Champions Trophy 2025 Semi Final
SA vs NZ Dream11 Team Prediction: Possible Dream11 playing eleven for South Africa vs New Zealand semifinal match (Team 2)
- Captain: Rachin Ravindra
- Vice-captain: Marco Jansen
- Wicketkeepers: Heinrich Klaasen, Ryan Rickelton
- Batsmen: Kane Williamson, Rassie van der Dussen, Rachin Ravindra
- All-rounders: Mitchell Santner, Glenn Phillips, Marco Jansen
- Bowlers: Keshav Maharaj, Matt Henry, Kagiso Rabada
