New Zealand Defeat South Africa to Reach ICC Champions Trophy Final

Ravindra and Williamson's Masterclass Guides Kiwis to 50-Run Victory

New Zealand booked their place in the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 final after a sensational all-round performance led them to a 50-run victory over South Africa in Lahore. Riding on outstanding centuries from Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson, the Black Caps posted a formidable 362/6 – the highest total of the tournament so far. Despite a valiant century from David Miller, South Africa fell short in their chase, setting up a rematch of the 2000 final for the Kiwis in Dubai.

New Zealand’s Batting Fireworks

The stage was set for a high-stakes clash, and New Zealand did not disappoint. They got off to a steady start, finding the boundary at regular intervals in the powerplay. Will Young and Rachin Ravindra navigated the early overs confidently, ensuring the scoreboard kept ticking. However, Young (21) was the first to depart, mistiming a slower delivery from Lungi Ngidi, which led to an easy catch for Aiden Markram at mid-off.

That brought skipper Kane Williamson to the crease, and what followed was a batting masterclass. Williamson and Ravindra built their innings with remarkable composure, negotiating the South African attack with finesse. The left-handed Ravindra reached his half-century in just 47 balls, showcasing an array of exquisite strokes, including three consecutive boundaries in the 18th over off Wiaan Mulder.

Ravindra’s form in the tournament had already been impressive, and he continued to shine, bringing up his second century of the competition with a well-placed shot into the leg-side. Meanwhile, Williamson rode his luck after being dropped on 56 by Heinrich Klaasen, but he made the most of it, accelerating in the latter half of his innings.

The duo put together a stellar 164-run stand before Ravindra (108) edged one behind to Klaasen off Kagiso Rabada’s bowling. Williamson then shifted gears, reaching his 15th ODI hundred by ramping Mulder for four. However, he perished just four balls later attempting the same shot, finishing with a 91-ball 102.

Daryl Mitchell (49) and Glenn Phillips (49) provided the finishing touches, hammering 110 runs in the final 10 overs to propel New Zealand to a mammoth 362/6, leaving South Africa with a daunting chase.

South Africa’s Stiff Chase and Miller’s Lone Battle

Chasing 363 for victory, South Africa’s reply started on a shaky note as Ryan Rickelton (17) fell early to Matt Henry, with Michael Bracewell taking a sharp catch at cover. However, Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen steadied the innings, stitching together a crucial 100-run partnership at a run-a-ball.

Both batters reached their fifties, with Bavuma’s knock of 56 coming to an end after a mistimed shot found Williamson at backward point off the bowling of Mitchell Santner. The New Zealand captain’s golden touch continued as he delivered with the ball, removing the well-set Van der Dussen (69) and Klaasen (3) in quick succession. Van der Dussen was bowled by a beautifully flighted delivery, while Klaasen’s aggressive attempt to counter-attack ended in a mistimed shot, safely caught by Henry at the boundary.

The wickets continued to tumble, with Ravindra chipping in by dismissing Markram (31) via a sharp caught-and-bowled effort. Bracewell then accounted for Mulder (8), while Phillips made further inroads by trapping Marco Jansen (3) lbw and having Keshav Maharaj (1) caught behind by Tom Latham.

At 256/9, with more than four overs remaining, South Africa’s hopes of a miracle lay solely on the shoulders of David Miller. The left-hander played one of the most entertaining knocks of the tournament, smashing his way to a breathtaking 67-ball century, taking the New Zealand attack to the cleaners. However, with no support from the other end, Miller’s heroics were in vain, as South Africa fell 50 runs short at the end of their 50 overs, finishing at 312/9.

New Zealand’s Bowling Unit Delivers Once Again

New Zealand’s bowlers executed their plans to perfection, applying pressure at key moments to dismantle the South African batting lineup. Santner led the charge with figures of 3/43, while Phillips (2/36) and Henry (2/52) provided excellent support.

Henry’s dismissal of Rabada (16) in the 46th over sealed the deal for New Zealand, making him the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with ten scalps. His consistency and ability to strike at crucial junctures have been invaluable for the Black Caps throughout the competition.

A Rematch of the 2000 Final Awaits

With this victory, New Zealand set up a much-anticipated final against a familiar opponent, revisiting the historic 2000 ICC Champions Trophy final. The Kiwis will be eager to repeat their success from 25 years ago, while their opponents will be determined to settle the score.

For South Africa, it was yet another semi-final heartbreak, adding to their history of near misses in ICC tournaments. Despite Miller’s brilliant century, their inability to sustain partnerships in the middle overs proved costly, preventing them from reaching their first Champions Trophy final since 1998.

As the countdown to the final begins, New Zealand will take confidence from their dominant display, with both their batting and bowling units firing in unison. Cricket fans worldwide can catch the grand finale in Dubai, where the Black Caps will look to etch their name in history once again.