Twitter Reactions: South Africa choke again as New Zealand prepare themselves for India in Dubai finale

At the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Wednesday, March 5, New Zealand defeated South Africa by 50 runs in the second semi-final of the Champions Trophy 2025. As a result, the New Zealanders will play India in the summit match in Dubai on Sunday, March 9.

New Zealand chose to bat first, and their innings got off to a solid start. After the first ten overs, New Zealand’s total was 56/1, despite Will Young being out in the eighth over. Rachin Ravindra reached his fifty in spectacular fashion with the opening delivery of a 15-run Wiaan Mulder over. In the 25th over, Keshav Maharaj’s bowling produced the innings’ first maximum.

A few overs later, Kane Williamson reached his own half-century as the BlackCaps continued to advance steadily. Rachin secured a well built century in the same over that Kagiso Rabada was dismissed for 17 runs. In his thriving career, he recorded his sixth tonne of the format, all of which were at ICC competitions. Rachin was brought down by a delivery from Rabada that changed pace. Conversely, Williamson easily reached his tonne off 91 deliveries.

In the same over that the former Kiwi captain reached his milestone, Mulder got rid of him. Upping the ante, New Zealand scored 110 runs for three wickets at the close of their innings. Their team ultimately posted the highest total in the history of the Champions Trophy, thanks in large part to brisk 49s from Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips. Rabada contributed a two, while Lungi Ngidi claimed three wickets for South Africa.

Despite having a strong 12-ball stay, Ryan Rickelton was removed in the fifth over. Rassie van der Dussen and Temba Bavuma joined forces to continue the pursuit after that. But between overs 12 and 17, New Zealand’s extremely tight bowling made sure the two didn’t score any boundaries. A moment before van der Dussen, Bavuma raised his fiftieth.

However, both of the set hitters were removed by Mitchell Santner’s two exquisitely flighted deliveries. At backward point, Bavuma was apprehended. However, a delivery that was absolutely peach-shaped and crashed onto the stumps undid van der Dussen. Heinrich Klaasen was held to high standards. But after just three runs were added to the scoreboard, the wicketkeeper-batter was out.

Aiden Markram was the fifth wicket taken by South Africa as he gave Rachin a return catch. On the last blow of his spell, Michael Bracewell made his first breakthrough. David Miller had a single hand as wickets continued to fall all around him. Rabada was around for a while, but South Africa ended up north of 300 primarily because of the southpaw’s unrelenting grit and power hitting. The veteran mentioned a well-earned century off the game’s last delivery.

Check out how X reacted to Match 12 of Champions Trophy 2025 between South Africa and New Zealand