37yxxx Champions Trophy Semi-Final 2: Williamson, Ravindra Propel New Zealand Into Final - Data Debrief

　　New Zealand beat South Africa in the semi-finals. New Zealand beat South Africa in the semi-finals.

Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra stole the show as New Zealand booked their place in the Champions Trophy final with a 50-run defeat of South Africa. (More Cricket News)

The Black Caps' reward will be a rematch with India, who beat them in the group stage.

Though Ravindra (108) and Williamson (102) were the difference makers in Lahore, there was a brilliant late flourish from South Africa's David Miller, who hit a rapid-fire 100 that he completed on the final delivery of the day.

The Proteas made a positive start as Will Young (21) was dismissed inside eight overs, but Ravindra and Williamson then took centre stage.

They put on a partnership of 164, with the Black Caps having reached 212 by the time Ravindra edged Kagiso Rabada (2-70) through to Heinrich Klaasen.

Williamson, who is now New Zealand's leading scorer in the Champions Trophy, followed four balls after reaching his century, but the damage was already done.

Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips both contributed 49 (the latter going unbeaten) to steer New Zealand to 362-6 from their 50 overs.

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After the loss of Ryan Rickelton (17), Temba Bavuma (56) and Rassie van der Dussen (69) kick-started the Proteas' chase, yet Mitchell Santner then came in with a match-turning spell.

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Santner sent Bavuma, Van der Dussen and Klaasen packing in the space of seven overs,betef while Aiden Markram (31) was caught and bowled by Ravindra soon after.

Miller's extraordinary ton from only 67 balls included 10 boundaries and four sixes, but Phillips (2-27), Matt Henry (2-43) and Michael Bracewell (1-53) prevented any other batter building up a head of steam as New Zealand sealed their spot in Sunday's showpiece.

A valiant from David Miller in the semi-final #ChampionsTrophy #SAvNZ  https://t.co/hC03MeIiDY pic.twitter.com/CyH0CDydbZ

— ICC (@ICC) March 5, 2025

Data Debrief: The nearly men

Since winning the Champions Trophy in 1998, South Africa have now lost their last four semi-finals in this competition. New Zealand, meanwhile, have won three of their four semi-finals in the Champions Trophy.

Williamson failed to get going in his first two matches of this tournament, but the 34-year-old is hitting form at the right time, with this knock coming on the back of a superb 81 against India.

He has now surpassed Stephen Fleming (441) as the Black Caps' highest run scorer in Champions Trophy history37yxxx, with 533 to his name, and has recorded six 50+ scores in his last eight innings at the tournament.