New Zealand have reached their seventh ICC final and fourth in the ODI format after setting a new Champions Trophy record for the highest total and defeating South Africa by 50 runs in Lahore. They will face India in Sunday’s final in Dubai, riding high on confidence after their dominant victory.
Rachin Ravindra notched up his fifth ODI century—all of which have come in ICC tournaments—while Kane Williamson registered his third consecutive hundred against South Africa. Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips contributed impactful knocks of 49 each, off 37 and 27 balls respectively, helping New Zealand post a formidable 326 for 6. Captain Mitchell Santner then led the bowling attack with figures of 3 for 43, dismissing South Africa’s skipper Temba Bavuma, their dependable No.3 Rassie van der Dussen, and power-hitter Heinrich Klaasen. With a disciplined bowling effort, New Zealand successfully defended their total and secured a place in the final.
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New Zealand Dominate as Miller’s Late Century Goes in Vain
The outcome of the match was decided by the 47th over of South Africa’s chase when David Miller was batting on 52 with only No. 11 Lungi Ngidi at the other end. However, Miller still managed to farm the strike, face all 18 remaining deliveries, and bring up a 67-ball century off the very last ball of the match.
This victory marks New Zealand’s fifth semi-final win in an ICC ODI event, while South Africa continue their struggles at this stage, having now lost nine out of 11 semi-finals. Their wait for a second major title, following their triumph in the inaugural Champions Trophy in 1998, continues.
South Africa’s Bowling Misfires as Ravindra and Williamson Dominate
While much of the attention may be on South Africa’s struggles with the bat—having now lost all five semi-finals in which they’ve chased—it was their bowling that cost them the game this time. They failed to capitalize on early swing, bowled too many pace-on deliveries despite the success of pace-off variations, and dropped two crucial catches. Lungi Ngidi was their standout bowler, using slower balls effectively to dismiss Will Young with the new ball and later removing Daryl Mitchell, but both Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj went wicketless.
Simply put, South Africa had no answer to the brilliance of Ravindra and Williamson—the fearless and the composed—who put together New Zealand’s highest Champions Trophy partnership, a 164-run stand for the second wicket. Though neither felt they were at their most fluent, they approached the flat pitch in contrasting yet effective ways, keeping the opposition guessing. Ravindra maintained a strike rate above 100 throughout, constantly pressuring the bowlers, while Williamson took his time to reach his half-century (61 balls) before accelerating to his hundred in just 30 more deliveries.
Santner’s Tactical Call Pays Off as Ravindra and Williamson Take Charge
After winning the toss, Mitchell Santner opted to bat first, anticipating that the evening breeze would minimize the impact of dew and allow New Zealand to put scoreboard pressure on South Africa. His decision proved spot on.
New Zealand had a shaky start when Will Young edged Lungi Ngidi over Marco Jansen at slip, but they soon found their rhythm. Rachin Ravindra took the attack to Jansen, punishing his short balls with a pull through square leg and three boundaries in his fourth over—through cover, midwicket, and extra cover—leaving Jansen uncertain about his best approach. Ngidi provided some respite for South Africa by dismissing Young at mid-off, as New Zealand reached 56 for 1 at the end of the powerplay.
Kane Williamson started cautiously, managing just 11 runs off his first 14 balls before Kagiso Rabada kept him under pressure with a masterful maiden over, varying his pace and length. Meanwhile, Ravindra accelerated, reaching his half-century off 47 balls in the 18th over, taking Wiaan Mulder for three boundaries.
South Africa introduced Keshav Maharaj in the 17th over, and he initially kept things tight, conceding just 14 runs in his first four overs. However, Ravindra soon took him on, first fetching a delivery from outside off to hit through long-on and then charging down to launch a straight six. The over went for 13 runs, and Maharaj’s next for 12, forcing his removal from the attack as Ngidi returned and nearly secured a crucial breakthrough.
New Zealand Finish with a Flourish After Williamson and Ravindra’s Masterclass
Kane Williamson had a stroke of luck on 56 when he slashed at the final ball of Ngidi’s sixth over, only for Heinrich Klaasen to spill a tough one-handed diving chance to his right. Ngidi continued to trouble the batters, beating Rachin Ravindra outside off in his next over. Ravindra, sitting on 97, survived a caught-behind review before bringing up his century off Rabada, reaching the milestone in 93 balls. New Zealand also crossed 200 in the 32nd over, with Williamson shifting gears as Rabada leaked 17 runs.
Williamson was on 80 off 77 balls when Ravindra fell, edging behind off Rabada. The skipper then accelerated, taking 14 more deliveries to complete his century with a ramp off Wiaan Mulder. However, the same shot brought his downfall later in the over, as he was caught at short fine leg. Despite the dismissals, New Zealand had set the perfect platform, reaching 252 for 3 after 40 overs.
South Africa briefly fought back, with Jansen and Rabada tightening the screws, conceding just 27 runs in four overs and removing Tom Latham. But then, New Zealand unleashed mayhem. Daryl Mitchell hammered Ngidi for a six and two fours, while Glenn Phillips smashed four consecutive boundaries off Jansen’s penultimate over. The final six overs yielded 83 runs, propelling New Zealand past 360 and leaving South Africa with an uphill task.
Bavuma and van der Dussen Keep South Africa in the Hunt
At least one South African batter started cautiously. When Ryan Rickelton fell for 17 off 11 balls, Temba Bavuma was struggling on 3 off 17 deliveries. He labored to 10 off 24 before finally shifting gears—walking down the pitch to loft Matt Henry over mid-off in the ninth over and hooking Kyle Jamieson behind square for six in the 10th. By the end of the first powerplay, South Africa had recovered to 56 for 1, mirroring New Zealand’s start.
With the in-form Rassie van der Dussen at the other end, Bavuma found his rhythm, forming a threatening partnership. The duo took on the spinners, both reaching their half-centuries in back-to-back overs bowled by Michael Bracewell. Their partnership flourished, growing to 105, before Bavuma became Mitchell Santner’s first victim. Attempting to clear cover, he mistimed his shot and found Kane Williamson at backward point. Still, at the halfway mark, South Africa remained on track—New Zealand had been 143 for 1 at this stage, and South Africa stood at a similar 143 for 2.
Santner Strikes as New Zealand March into the Final
Mitchell Santner delivered the decisive blows that sealed South Africa’s fate. He bowled Rassie van der Dussen with a quicker delivery that straightened past his edge and had Heinrich Klaasen caught by Matt Henry at long-on. Henry, in the process, injured his right shoulder and had to leave the field, prompting New Zealand to turn to Rachin Ravindra as their sixth bowler. The move worked perfectly as Aiden Markram mistimed a return catch straight to Ravindra.
With five wickets remaining, South Africa needed 170 runs from the last 15 overs, and ESPNcricinfo’s win predictor gave them less than a 0.5% chance. Even with David Miller still at the crease, that seemed accurate. Miller fought till the end, bringing up his seventh ODI century off the final ball of the match. His cradle celebration appeared to be a tribute to his one-month-old son, Benji, but much like his ton in the 2023 ODI World Cup semi-final, it may have felt bittersweet. Another opportunity for a major title slipped away for South Africa, while New Zealand—who last lifted an ICC ODI trophy in 2000—kept their dream alive.
FAQs
How did New Zealand qualify for the ICC Champions Trophy final?
New Zealand secured their spot in the final by posting a record total of 326/6 and defeating South Africa by 50 runs in Lahore.
Who were the key performers for New Zealand in the semi-final against South Africa?
Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson scored centuries, while Mitchell Santner took 3/43 to lead New Zealand to victory.
How many ICC finals has New Zealand reached?
This is New Zealand’s seventh ICC final and their fourth in the ODI format.
What went wrong for South Africa in the semi-final?
South Africa struggled with their bowling, failed to capitalize on early swing, dropped crucial catches, and couldn’t chase the target despite David Miller’s century.
When and where is the ICC Champions Trophy final?
The final will take place on Sunday in Dubai, where New Zealand will face India.
