SA vs NZ Live Score, Champions Trophy 2025: South Africa will reembark on an agonising quest for their first piece of ICC silverware since 1998 when they face New Zealand in Wednesday’s semifinal of the Champions Trophy in Lahore, the scene of a highscoring tussle between the duo last month.
The pair have faced each other in the 50-over format just twice since 2019, most recently on February 10 in Lahore in a Tri-Series fixture.
South Africa batted first and posted 304 for six, but their inexperienced bowling line-up could not contain the New Zealanders, who won by six wickets with eight balls to spare.
South Africa will pack much more of a punch in the bowling department this time round, with fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen as well as wily spinner Keshav Maharaj in their attack.
“We know how strong South Africa are. They’ve got all bases covered in batting, bowling and in the field. I’m sure it’ll be a fantastic game,” New Zealand batter Tom Latham said.
South Africa has reached the semi-finals or finals of ICC tournaments on 13 occasions across both limited-overs formats and only has the 1998 Champions Trophy title to show for it.
They made the semi-finals of the 50-over World Cup in 2023 but lost to Australia, and the final of last year’s T20 World Cup, where they lost to India despite seeming certain victors.
(With Reuters inputs)
