LAHORE – New Zealand punched their ticket to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final with a commanding 50-run victory over South Africa in the second semi-final at Gaddafi Stadium last night, setting up a blockbuster clash with India on Sunday. Centuries from Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra, a late batting blitz, and a match-turning spell from skipper Mitchell Santner propelled the Black Caps to 362/6—the tournament’s highest total—before their bowlers snuffed out a spirited Proteas chase, despite David Miller’s heroic ton. For Kiwi fans from Auckland to Invercargill, it’s a triumph that blends grit, flair, and a touch of Lahore magic.

Kiwis Set the Tone

Electing to bat under clear skies, New Zealand weathered an early storm from South Africa’s pace attack—Lungi Ngidi (1-54) and Marco Jansen (0-67)—who peppered the deck with short stuff. Will Young’s 23 off 30 ended with Ngidi’s clever slower ball, caught by Aiden Markram, leaving NZ at 48/1. Enter Kane Williamson (102 off 94) and Rachin Ravindra (108 off 101), who stitched a masterful 164-run stand for the second wicket. Williamson, crossing 19,000 international runs, laced 10 fours and two sixes, while Ravindra’s 13 fours and a six earned him Player of the Match honours. “I didn’t start as I’d hoped, but partnerships with Kane and the boys got us rolling,” Ravindra said post-match.

The platform held firm past 250 by the 40th over, teeing up Glenn Phillips (49* off 27) and Daryl Mitchell (49 off 37) to unleash carnage—112 runs in the final 10 overs. Phillips smashed six fours and a six, including a 22-run 49th over off Jansen, while Mitchell’s late flurry left South Africa reeling. Keshav Maharaj (1-54) and Kagiso Rabada (1-61) toiled, but NZ’s 362/6 loomed large—only thrice in ODI history has a bigger total been chased, twice by South Africa.

Proteas Fight, Then Falter

Chasing 363, South Africa stumbled early—Ryan Rickelton’s brisk 17 (12) snuffed out by Matt Henry (1-43), caught by Michael Bracewell at cover. Temba Bavuma (56 off 67) and Rassie van der Dussen (69 off 81) steadied the ship with a 105-run stand, matching NZ’s halfway mark of 143, albeit with an extra wicket down. Enter Santner (3-43), whose spin wizardry flipped the script. He bowled Bavuma with a slider in the 27th over, then had van der Dussen caught at long-on by Henry—who limped off clutching his shoulder—before Heinrich Klaasen (12 off 16) holed out to the same fielder.

At 167/4 after 28.4 overs, South Africa’s chase teetered. David Miller (100* off 67) fought valiantly, smashing 10 fours and five sixes, including 48 runs off the last three overs—18 in the 50th off Kyle Jamieson (0-57)—to notch a consolation century off the final ball. But wickets tumbled—Markram (19 off 23) caught-and-bowled by Ravindra, Wiaan Mulder (8 off 13) and Marco Jansen (3 off 7) to Bracewell (1-34) and Phillips (2-43), Keshav Maharaj (1 off 4) caught behind off Phillips—leaving the Proteas at 312/9. “We needed one or two to go big like NZ’s top four,” Bavuma rued. “Miller did it, but we left too much to do.”

Historical Stakes

This wasn’t just a semi-final—it was a clash of perennial near-missers. South Africa, 1998 KnockOut Trophy champs, and NZ, 2000 winners, have chased the big one since—NZ falling agonisingly short in the 2019 World Cup final, South Africa faltering in countless knockouts. Their Champions Trophy head-to-head stood at 1-1 pre-match; NZ now lead 2-1, adding to wins in 2011 and 2015 World Cups. Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, hosting its last game of the tournament, saw NZ’s 362/6 topple India’s 349/5 from 2006 as the event’s highest score.

For NZ Bharat readers, it’s a familiar script—India’s 2023 World Cup semi-final win over NZ reversed here, with the Black Caps now eyeing a second title. South Africa’s unbeaten Group B run (two wins, one washout) ends, their knockout curse unbroken.

What’s Next

New Zealand jet to Dubai for the March 9 final against India, who edged Australia by four wickets in the first semi. Santner, with seven wickets this tournament, looms as a trump card on a spin-friendly pitch. “We’re expecting similar conditions,” he said. “India’s tough, but we’ll recover and prepare.” For Kiwi fans, it’s a shot at redemption after a 44-run group-stage loss to India. For Bharat readers, it’s a tantalising NZ-India rematch—two titans, one trophy.

Excerpt

“Williamson and Ravindra’s tons, Santner’s spin, and Phillips’ fireworks—NZ outmuscled South Africa in Lahore’s cauldron. Miller’s ton dazzled, but the Black Caps march to Dubai, India in their sights.”

Kara Riggs writes about sports, outdoors, adventures, and fitness for NZB News, capturing the thrill of the game for Kiwi readers.