South Africa will lock horns against New Zealand in the second semifinal of the Champions Trophy at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on Wednesday. The Proteas won two of their group stage matches to top their group B whereas their match against Australia was abandoned without a ball being bowled.
On the other hand, New Zealand registered convincing wins against Bangladesh and Pakistan but suffered a 44-run loss against India. We look at the current form, head-to-head, players to look out for, and squads of both teams in our match preview.
Current form of New Zealand: L W W W W
New Zealand have ticked the right boxes and they would look to come up with a collective effort against the Rainbow Nation. The Kiwis recently played South Africa at the same venue in the tri-series and registered a convincing six-wicket win after Devon Conway and Kane Williamson scored 97 and 133 runs respectively.
Current form of South Africa: W A W L L
South Africa’s batting has done a decent job so far in the tournament and they would want to carry the same show. Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada are going to hold the key for the Proteas with the ball. Heinrich Klaasen also scored an impressive fifty against England in the last game.
Head to Head: Matches: 73, Won by New Zealand: 26, Won by South Africa: 42, No Result: 5.
Player to look out for: Mitchell Santner, Kane Williamson, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tom Latham, Lockie Ferguson, and Will O’Rourke will be the crucial players for the Blackcaps.
Rassie van der Dussen, Temba Bavuma, David Miller, Aiden Markram, Kagiso Rabada, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Tristan Stubbs, and Marco Jansen will be the crucial players for South Africa.
South Africa: Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Corbin Bosch.
New Zealand squad: Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson, Will Young.
