SA vs NZ Match Preview- ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Semifinal 2

In the second semifinal of the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025, New Zealand will be locking horns against South Africa. The match is scheduled to be held on Wednesday (March 5) at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

The winner of the upcoming game will take on either India or Australia in the final. The first semifinal between India and Australia will be played in Dubai on March 4. So, as South Africa and New Zealand gear up for the second semifinal, here is the SA vs NZ match preview.

SA vs NZ Match Preview- ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Semifinal 2:

SA vs NZ, Date and Venue:

The upcoming SA vs NZ match will be played on Wednesday (March 5) at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The match will be played from 02:30 PM (IST).

Squads:

South Africa:

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

New Zealand:

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

SA vs NZ key battles:

Kane Williamson vs Marco Jansen:

This is the battle that could decide the fate of the upcoming SA vs NZ game. With New Zealand eyeing a place in the final, the onus will be on their former captain Kane Williamson to lead the charge with the bat. Williamson has been in good form as well and will look to make the most of it.

The last time South Africa and New Zealand had faced each other in an ODI, he had scored a match-winning hundred and will be eyeing a similar knock this time as well.

For South Africa, the onus will be on their left-arm pacer Marco Jansen to get Williamson's wicket as early as possible. Jansen picked up 3 quick wickets in the last game and will be looking to deliver a similar performance in the upcoming game as well.

Rachin Ravindra vs Kagiso Rabada:

Rachin Ravindra will be another big threat for South Africa in the upcoming game. The left-handed batsman has done extremely well in the subcontinent in the last couple of years or so and will look to star with the bat in the upcoming clash as well.

While he could not deliver with the bat against India, he had scored a brilliant century against Bangladesh before that. Ravindra will be eyeing another good outing with the bat. For South Africa, the onus will be on their pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada to ensure that Ravindra does not last long on the crease.

Heinrich Klaasen vs Mitchell Santner:

Heinrich Klaasen's performance in the upcoming SA vs NZ game could decide the fate of the contest. The wicketkeeper-batsman scored a brilliant fifty against England in the last match and will look to make his presence felt in the semifinal as well.

Klaasen will be a huge threat for New Zealand and the Black Caps will be relying on their captain Mitchell Santner for his wicket.

SA vs NZ Key Players:

SA - Ryan Rickelton, Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen, Heinrich Klaasen and Kagiso Rabada will be the key players for South Africa.

NZ - Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell and Mitchell Santner will be the key players for New Zealand.

SA vs NZ Weather And Pitch Report:

The weather forecast has predicted a sunny day in Lahore on the match day. There is no threat of rain and the SA vs NZ game is likely to go ahead without any major interruptions.

The temperature will be in the early 20s during the first half of the game. After the sunset, the temperature is set to hover between 15-20 degrees Celsius.

The pitch at the Gaddafi Stadium is a batsmen's paradise and a run-fest is expected in the upcoming game as well. Lahore pitch will be flat, where batsmen will find it easy to play their shots while bowlers won't get much help.

Conclusion:

With a place in the final at stake, South Africa and New Zealand will be giving it their all in the upcoming semifinal. The match promises to be a thrilling contest.