Champions Trophy 2025: South Africa's Strength, Weaknesses, Schedule, Squad, Playing XI and More

With the Champions Trophy coming up in a month one team stood out in South Africa. A promising team that would like to remove the tag of chokers in this Champions trophy. Despite performing well in the group stages of the previous ICC tournament, South Africa has repeatedly found themselves in trouble in the knockout matches. Along with this injury woes are not looking good for the team's preparation for the upcoming Champions Trophy.

Multiple Injuries issues

Anrich Nortje Injury 

South Africa pacer Anrich Nortje, who played his last ODI match in September 2023, has been ruled out of the SA20 league and the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to a back injury that was revealed just a few days ago.

Gerald Coetzee

Another team member, Gerald Coetzee, also suffered injuries when playing for the Joburg Super Kings in SA20. This is a major blow to South Africa, which is preparing for the upcoming Champions Trophy.

South Africa Strengths

Batting power

One of South Africa's biggest strengths in the upcoming Champions Trophy is its batting lineup. The team possesses an explosive and experienced betting lineup that can change the direction of any match in a few overs. The lineup includes star batters like Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, and Aiden Markram.

Pace department 

The South African team has a formidable pace attack led by Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, and all-rounder Marco Jansen, who can help with the bat too.

Recent Form 

South Africa possesses a strong recent form in the recent ICC events 

• ICC Cricket World Cup 2023:Semi finals 
• ICC cricket T20 World Cup 2024: finals
• ICC World test Championship2025 : Final (upcoming) 

Weaknesses 

Injury Concern

South Africa's biggest concern and weakness are the same: various players have been injured in the last few months, which not only affects the team's upcoming performance in the Champions Trophy but also raises the question of its fitness levels.

Death bowling

The upcoming Champions Trophy team lacks experienced Death bowlers like Anrich Nortje, who was rolled out of the tournament. This could prove costly for the team.

Knockout pressure

It is evident that South Africa funds whenever it comes to the ICC tournament knockout matches. The team has a long-standing record of doing the hard work all season but cooking in the semi-finals/finals. 

• ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: Semi-finals 
• ICC Cricket World Cup 2023:Semi finals 
• ICC cricket T20 World Cup 2024: finals

Opportunities 

Subcontinent experience

One thing that makes South Africa an opportunity is the players' experience in the subcontinent. Multiple players have played in the subcontinent's T20 leagues. 

Threats

Challenging opponents

South Africa faces a big challenge. The team is in group A with other teams like Australia and England, which will create tough competition for the top two positions. 

Previous performance

India has performed well in the last two Champions Trophies, whereas India won the Champions Trophy in 2013, and it reached the finals in 2017.

India has the opportunity to become the first team to win the Champions Trophy for the third time. Only two teams, India and Australia, have won the Champions Trophy twice, in 2002, India won it jointly with Sri Lanka as the match was abandoned due to rain.

South Africa Best Playing XI For Champions Trophy

South Africa Matches in Champions Trophy

South Africa Squad

Champions Trophy 2025 Full Schedule