South Africa duels with New Zealand in Champions Trophy semi-final: Match Preview

South Africa face New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final on Wednesday in Lahore, looking to punch their ticket into Sunday's decider.

One of these teams will have the chance to end their Champions Trophy dry spell, after the Proteas finished on top in 1998 and then the Black Caps in 2000.

The clash also shapes as a higher stakes rematch after the pair clashed only last month at the same Lahore venue. The two competed in a Tri-series with hosts Pakistan in the lead-up to the tournament. The Black Caps will hope recent history repeats, after coming out on top by six wickets in that affair.

However, those South Africa were missing several of their regular faces, and tournament cricket is, of course, an entirely different proposition.

South Africa have shown in the group stages that they, like New Zealand, have what it takes to go all the way.

Here's where the game could be won and lost.

Squads:

South Africa: Temba Bavuma (c), 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, Corbin Bosch. Travelling reserve: Kwena Maphaka.

New Zealand: 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.

How to watch the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Recent form:

South Africa: South Africa have been untroubled so far this tournament, with a 107-run win over Afghanistan in their opener and then a thumping seven-wicket win over England in their last group game. The real test, however, was likely to have come against Australia - a match that was abandoned without a single ball being bowled due to the weather. The semi-final will prove to be their toughest game thus far.

New Zealand: The Black Caps had won five ODIs on the bounce before India edged them in the Group A decider on Sunday, strong form that pre-dates the Champions Trophy. They've looked sharp in all three disciplines so far this tournament and will be seeking to get back to winning ways immediately.

Players in focus:

**South Africa: Heinrich Klaasen
**
The wicketkeeper wouldn't have expected to assume captaincy responsibilities this tournament, but that's exactly what he did during the match against England, with Temba Bavuma already absent and stand-in Aiden Markram picking up a slight hamstring issue in the field. The 33-year-old's focus never wavered, though, scoring 64 off 56 balls having earlier contributed to two wickets. Being a mainstay across the shorter formats of the game, Klaasen being in-form will be crucial for South Africa.

**New Zealand: Kane Williamson
**
The experienced former captain kept the Black Caps in the game against India with his excellent knock of 81, but his value in the field shouldn't be overlooked - the spectacular catch to remove Ravindra Jadeja was a great example of what he still brings, even at the age of 34.

As the stakes get higher in these tournament games, Black Caps players will be looking to follow the lead of their cool-headed veteran teammate.

How to watch

India: JioStar (Live streaming on Jio Hotstar, Television coverage on Star and Network 18 channels)

Pakistan: PTV and Ten Sports, Streaming options: Myco and Tamasha app

UAE and MENA: CricLife Max and CricLife Max2, Streaming option: STARZPLAY

UK: Live broadcasting on Sky Sports Cricket, Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Action, Digital coverage via SkyGO, NOW and Sky Sports App

USA and Canada: WillowTV, Streaming on Willow by Cricbuzz app (Hindi coverage available)

Caribbean: ESPNCaribbean on TV, Streaming via ESPN Play Caribbean app

Australia: PrimeVideo (coverage available in Hindi too)

New Zealand: Sky Sport NZ, digital coverage via Now and SkyGo app.

South Africa and sub-Saharan territories: SuperSport and SuperSport App

Bangladesh: Nagorik TV and T Sports for linear broadcast, digital via Toffee app

Afghanistan: ATN

Sri Lanka: Maharaja TV (TV1 on Linear), Digital via Sirasa

The games can also be viewed on ICC.tv (In select territories)