The Black Caps beat South Africa by 50 runs in the semi-final in Lahore

New Zealand breezed past South Africa by 50 runs in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final in Lahore on March 5 (Wednesday) to qualify for the final for the first time since 2009.  This is the fifth instance of South Africa crashing out of the Champions Trophy at the semi-final stage.

They will be up against India in the final of the tournament for the first time in 25 years. The Black Caps had beaten India in the Champions Trophy (then Knockout) final in 2000 in Nairobi. India will have a chance to avenge that defeat on March 9 (Sunday) in Dubai. 

David Miller tried his best with an unbeaten 67-ball hundred, but it was not enough in the end. Temba Bavuma (56) and Rassie van der Dussen (69) scored fifties, but they could not carry from their half-centuries, perishing quite quickly. 

Chasing 363, South Africa never looked to be in the game, and barring a 105-run second-wicket stand between Bavuma and Van der Dussen, there was nothing to ride home about as far as the Proteas chase was concerned. 

The New Zealand spinners did an excellent job, picking up seven wickets between them for the first time in an ICC ODI event to choke the opposition. New Zealand have lost only one game in the tournament so far, which came against India in the group stage. India, who are unbeaten in the tournament, will play their third final in a row, last winning it in 2013.