South Africa vs New Zealand Semi-Final 2, Champions Trophy 2025: Lahore Weather & Conditions Update

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Mar 4, 2025, 19:17 IST

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New Zealand and South Africa, both former Champions Trophy winners, face off in the semifinal. New Zealand, led by Mitchell Santner, placed second in Group A, while South Africa, topping Group B, boasts strong performance depth. Key players for each team and unpredictable weather conditions promise an exciting and closely contested match.

South Africa vs New Zealand Semi-Final 2, Champions Trophy 2025: Lahore Weather & Conditions Update

Champions Trophy (AP Photo)

NEW DELHI: New Zealand and South Africa, both previous Champions Trophy winners in 1998 and 2000 (then known as the ICC Knockout Trophy), are set to compete in the semifinal of the tournament.
Despite their talent, both teams have struggled to secure major ICC titles in recent years, with New Zealand finishing as runners-up in the last two ODI World Cups (2015, 2019) and the T20 World Cup (2021), and South Africa aiming to overcome their reputation for faltering in crucial matches.
Under the leadership of Mitchell Santner, New Zealand placed second in Group A, while South Africa, led by their strong performance, topped Group B.
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The two teams are closely matched across various aspects of the game, though South Africa may have a slight edge in bowling diversity.
The outcome may hinge on the performance of the spinners, given the slower pitch conditions that have not favored spin as much as other venues.
New Zealand, despite a recent loss to India, has shown resilience and capability, notably in their recent victory over South Africa in a tri-series.
Tom Latham, New Zealand's top scorer so far, along with Kane Williamson's return to form, boosts their batting lineup.
South Africa's team, displaying formidable form, has shown depth in both batting and bowling, with key players in good form.
However, their recent one-day international record shows a series of losses, adding an element of unpredictability to their performance. The semifinal promises a closely contested match between these evenly matched sides.

South Africa vs New Zealand Weather Update: How Will the Conditions Favour Players?

The South Africa vs New Zealand match on March 5 will be played under ideal weather conditions. With a high of 24°C and plenty of sunshine, players can expect a pleasant day with no rain interruptions. The northwest wind at 17 km/h, with gusts up to 41 km/h, might slightly affect swing bowling. Evening conditions will be cooler at 10°C, with clear skies and a light breeze of 9 km/h. With 0% precipitation and minimal cloud cover, the pitch is expected to remain dry, favoring batting-friendly conditions. Spin might come into play later under clear night skies.

Key Players to Watch in South Africa vs New Zealand Semi-Final

New Zealand

Kane Williamson: The experienced batter will be crucial in anchoring the innings and tackling South Africa’s pace attack.
Mitchell Santner: As captain and a key all-rounder, his left-arm spin and lower-order hitting will be vital.
Lockie Ferguson: His express pace can trouble South African batters, especially in favorable conditions.

South Africa

Kagiso Rabada: The pace spearhead will be a major threat with the new ball and in death overs.
Heinrich Klaasen: A powerful middle-order batter, capable of taking on New Zealand’s bowlers.
Aiden Markram: His all-round abilities and leadership experience make him a key asset.

Stay tuned for the IND vs AUS Live Score and follow real-time match updates. Get the latest Cricket Live Score and stay ahead with every ball.

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TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

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