South Africa vs New Zealand Preview & Prediction | 2025 ICC Champions Trophy | Semi-Final
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
Group B winners South Africa meet Group A runners-up New Zealand with the winner facing either India or Australia in the final.
Date & time: Wednesday 5th March 2025: USA PT – 1:00am / USA ET – 4:00am / UK – 9:00am
Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, Pakistan
Weather: Full of sunshine with a moderate breeze and temperatures of 22c.
How to watch: USA – Willow TV / UK – Sky Sports & Sky Go
How to get tickets for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy: Click here for the latest ticket information for South Africa vs New Zealand
South Africa Preview: Beating England secures top spot
After their match against Australia was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to rain, South Africa knew that victory over England would more than likely ensure they finished top of Group B due to their high net-run-rate. The Proteas once again made light work of Jos Buttler’s side in a 50-over match at an ICC major tournament, winning by seven wickets.
Chasing just 180 to win, South Africa knocked the runs off in just 29.1 overs, capping off an excellent all-round performance that saw their bowling attack prevent any England batter from scoring higher than 37 runs.
New Zealand Preview: Last four place secure despite defeat
New Zealand were already guaranteed to finish in the top two of their group after winning their opening two matches against Pakistan and Bangladesh respectively. However, they will need to pick themselves back up quickly after suffering their first loss of the tournament at the hands of India, who subjected them to second-place in Group B.
After restricting India to 249/9, the Black Caps were bowled out for 205 as only Kane Williamson managed to pass 50, scoring 85 in total and finish as New Zealand’s highest scoring batter by a wide margin. The lack of support for Williamson ultimately proved their downfall.
South Africa Betting Analysis
The calm head of South Africa batter Rassie van der Dussen may well be vital for the Proteas in this semi-final. He boasts 124 runs across two innings, passing the half-century mark on both occasions. No player currently contains a better tournament average than van der Dussen’s 124.00 and backing him to accrue a score of 30+ runs against New Zealand has to be favoured.
New Zealand Betting Analysis
New Zealand have the current highest wicket-taker in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, that being Matt Henry. The right-arm pacer has racked up eight scalps over the course of three matches, the most of any competitor going into the semi-finals and his speed, not to mention his accuracy should really test the South African batters. Consider backing Henry to take over 1.5 match wickets.
South Africa vs New Zealand Expert Prediction
South Africa have been a very good 50-over side for a long time now and it always feels like their first major ICC trophy isn’t far away from being claimed. But the history of them ‘choking’ will leaves doubts when it comes to backing them in a big knockout fixture. Particularly when you factor in their opponents, the perennially underrated New Zealand.
The Black Caps may have misfired with the bat as a team against India but Kane Williamson demonstrated his class and a player of the 34-year-old’s quality has the ability and temperament to score big runs vs the highest level of opposition. With this semi-final having the potential to go either way, the shrewd move may well be backing Williamson to register a substantial individual innings.
South Africa vs New Zealand Top Tip: Kane Williamson to score over 34.5 match runs
