Temba Bavuma, Tony de Zorzi OUT of Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final? Huge update arrives

South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma and opening batter Tony de Zorzi missed the last group-stage match against England in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. A report by ESPN Cricinfo revealed the update on Temba Bavuma and Tony de Zorzi's recovery ahead of the semi-final match against New Zealand.

South Africa will take on New Zealand in the second semifinal of the Champions Trophy in Lahore on Wednesday, March 5. Aiden Markram sustained a right hamstring injury while fielding against England. He was out of action for the rest of the match, and wicketkeeper Heinrich Klaasen stepped in as captain.

Temba Bavuma and Tony de Zorzi's Fitness Updates Revealed Ahead of Semifinal

According to an ESPN Cricinfo report, Temba Bavuma and Tony de Zorzi, who missed the last match due to illness, have nearly recovered and are expected to resume training on Tuesday evening.

It is worth mentioning that South Africa had already suffered multiple injury setbacks. Key players like Anrich Nortje, Gerald Coetzee, Nandre Burger, and Lizaad Williams were ruled out of the tournament.

The report added that South Africa have picked all-rounder George Linde as a traveling reserve for the Champions Trophy semifinal. However, Linde has not officially replaced Aiden Markram and will only do so if Markram is ruled out.

Linde is set to join the squad on Tuesday evening, while left-arm pacer Kwena Maphaka is also with the team as a traveling reserve. Markram will undergo a fitness test on Tuesday evening, which will determine his availability for the semifinal against New Zealand.

South Africa Top Group B After 2025 Champions Trophy Group Stage

South Africa have remained unbeaten in the 2025 Champions Trophy. The Temba Bavuma-led team finished as Group B table-toppers with two wins and one no result.

They started their campaign with an emphatic 107-run victory over Afghanistan in Karachi. The Proteas posted a massive total of 315/6 before bowling their opponents out for 208 runs. Their second match against Australia in Rawalpindi was washed out without a toss.

South Africa secured a convincing seven-wicket win over England in their final group-stage match. With strong momentum, they will aim to continue their impressive form in the semifinal against New Zealand and secure a spot in the final.

New Zealand's Winning Streak Halted by India in Final Group Match

New Zealand started their campaign strongly with victories over Pakistan (60 runs) in Karachi and Bangladesh (five wickets) in Rawalpindi. However, the Mitchell Santner-led side lost their final group-stage match to India by 44 runs in Dubai. They will hope to regain winning momentum in the semi-finals.

New Zealand and South Africa last met in a tri-series before the Champions Trophy. The BlackCaps secured a six-wicket victory over South Africa in Lahore and later defeated Pakistan by five wickets in the final in Karachi last month.

Also read: Aiden Markram out of Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final! South Africa sends replacement!!