As South Africa and New Zealand gear up for their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final in Lahore, several records could be broken in this highly anticipated clash. The two teams have a long history in ODIs, with South Africa winning 42 matches and New Zealand securing 26 victories out of their 73 encounters. Their Champions Trophy head-to-head record is tied at 1-1, making this a decisive showdown.
Key Records on the Line
1. Matt Henry’s Chase for Trent Boult’s Record
- Current Highest 4+ Wicket Hauls for NZ in ODIs: Trent Boult (14 times)
- Matt Henry Needs: 4 wickets to equal Boult’s record
Henry has been in sensational form this year, leading the ODI wicket-taking charts with 22 wickets in 8 matches, and another strong performance could see him etch his name alongside Boult in New Zealand’s ODI history.
2. Kagiso Rabada’s Shot at South Africa’s ICC ODI Event Record
- Current ICC ODI Event Wicket-Takers (SA):
- Morne Morkel – 30 wickets
- Dale Steyn – 30 wickets
- Kagiso Rabada – 29 wickets
- Rabada Needs: 2 wickets to surpass Morkel and Steyn as South Africa’s highest wicket-taker in ICC ODI events.
Rabada has been a match-winner with the new ball in this tournament, and if he steps up once again, he could surpass two of South Africa’s greatest bowlers on this elite list.
Player Stats to Watch
South Africa’s Key Players
- Heinrich Klaasen’s ODI Form (Since 2024):
- 415 runs at an average of 83
- Strike rate: 127.30
- 50+ scores in every innings played
- Rassie van der Dussen vs NZ in ODIs:
- 200 runs in just 2 innings
- 100 average, 109.9 strike rate
- 1 century, 1 half-century
- David Miller’s ODI Form (Since 2024):
- 53 runs, average 17.67, strike rate 81.54 (underwhelming performances)
- SA Powerplay Bowling in Champions Trophy 2025:
- 5 wickets at 20 average and 24 strike-rate
- Marco Jansen in the Powerplay:
- 10 overs, 3 wickets, 14 average, 20 strike-rate
New Zealand’s Key Players
- Kane Williamson vs Kagiso Rabada in ODIs (Since 2015):
- 31 runs, strike rate 47 (has never been dismissed by Rabada)
- NZ Openers vs Left-Arm Pacers in Powerplay (Since 2024):
- 5 innings, 88 runs, 1 dismissal, 118.72 strike rate
- Williamson’s ODI Form in 2025:
- 312 runs, average 62.40, 2 fifties, 1 century
- Glenn Phillips in Death Overs (41-50) in ODIs (2025):
- 195 runs, 1 dismissal, strike rate 152.34
What’s at Stake?
Both teams have a chance to rewrite history and set new milestones, adding more excitement to the SA vs NZ semi-final clash. Will Rabada rise to the occasion, or will Henry make history for New Zealand? The battle for a place in the ICC Champions Trophy final promises to be a thrilling one.
