SA vs NZ, Champions Trophy 2025: Rachin, Williamson hundreds help New Zealand overpower South Africa
SA vs NZ, Champions Trophy 2025: Rachin, Williamson hundreds help New Zealand overpower South Africa
Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson made optimum use of conditions that have been quite familiar to them in recent times, and scored effortless centuries as New Zealand stormed into the final of the Champions Trophy, defeating South Africa by 50 runs.
At the Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday, New Zealand — unchanged from the final league game against India — opted to bat and rode on Rachin’s 108 (101b, 13×4, 1×6) and Williamson’s 102 (94b, 10×4, 2×6) to put up a mammoth 362 for 6. Spinners Mitchell Santner and Glenn Phillips eventually sealed a place in the final for the Kiwis despite David Miller’s unbeaten 67-ball-100 .
It was a cautious start by New Zealand as Rachin took his time before hammering three boundaries in an over from Marco Jansen, while his opening partner Will Young chipped in with a couple of boundaries before falling to Lungi Ngidi.
However, New Zealand rebuilt with Rachin and Williamson anchoring the innings. With the surface not favouring the batters, Rachin took on Wiaan Mulder for three fours in an over, while Williamson too accelerated the scoring with a six off Keshav Maharaj and a rare scoop against Kagiso Rabada.
En route their 164-run partnership for the second wicket, Rachin brought up his fifth ODI ton before falling to Rabada, while Williamson reached his 15th ODI century with a scoop.
He couldn’t carry on, however, falling to Mulder in the 40th over. Nevertheless, New Zealand managed to add 110 runs in the final 10 overs, riding on quick cameos from Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips.
With a mountain to climb, South Africa lost opener Ryan Rickelton early. Captain Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen reignited Protean hopes with a 105-run partnership, with both scoring fifties. Despite a tall total, the duo looked confident as they frustrated the New Zealand bowlers until the 22nd over.
However, things changed quickly as Santner dismissed Bavuma and van der Dussen in quick succession. With a middle-order collapse, South Africa lost six wickets in no time before Miller entertained the crowd with a flurry of boundaries, adding 56 runs for the last wicket.
In the end though, South Africa could not evade another ICC event heartbreak.
