After defeating South Africa by 50 runs in the second semifinal at the Gaddafi Stadium here on Wednesday, New Zealand advanced to the 2025 Champions Trophy final against India in Dubai.
After Rachin Ravindra smashed his fifth ODI century and second of the tournament, and Kane Williamson notched his third century in a row against South Africa to take New Zealand to 362/6, the highest total in the competition’s history, the Proteas finished on 312/9, with David Miller’s unbeaten century off 67 balls going in vain.
The Blackcaps’ skipper Mitchell Santner broke the back of South Africa’s chase with 3-43, while Glenn Phillips and Matt Henry also got two wickets. Michael Bracewell and Rachin Ravindra both took wickets as New Zealand cruised to victory and will now face India for the second time in this competition.
Chasing 363, the in-form Ryan Rickleton began by hitting four early boundaries before being undone by Matt Henry’s cutter, and the leading edge was caught by short-cover in his fifth over. Temba Bavuma struggled to get going, scoring three off 18 balls before breaking free with fours against Henry and Kyle Jamieson.
Following the duo’s fours off William O’Rourke, Bavuma raised South Africa’s total to 100 by going inside-out against Michael Bracewell for four, his sixth ODI fifty in 64 balls.
Shortly after, van der Dussen hit his third consecutive fifty with a single, giving South Africa’s chase a more steady aspect, particularly after Bavuma’s catch was lost by Kane Williamson at short midwicket. However, in the 23rd over, Bavuma attempted to slice a flighted delivery from Santner, but was caught at backward point for 56. Three overs later, Santner struck again, getting one to turn and dismissing van der Dussen for 67. In his following over, he dealt a crushing blow to South Africa’s pursuit by having Heinrich Klaasen pull to Henry at long-on, although he injured himself after landing on his right shoulder.
From there, South Africa’s fall in the chase began: Rachin Ravindra held on to a chip from Aiden Markram’s bat off his own bowling, Wiaan Mulder miscued a slog-sweep to deep square leg off Bracewell, and Glenn Phillips trapped Marco Jansen lbw, later catching Keshav Maharaj.
Despite Rabada striking two boundaries in his 22-ball 16 and David Miller shipping bowlers all over the park to complete a century on the penultimate ball of the innings, South Africa were unable to prevent New Zealand from reaching the Champions Trophy final.
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