CT 2025 Points Table: Rachin and Williamson Shine as South Africa Crumble in Champions Trophy

New Zealand put on a dominant performance to defeat South Africa by 50 runs and secure a place in the Champions Trophy 2025 final. Batting first, Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson both smashed brilliant centuries, setting a strong total. Glenn Phillips provided the finishing touch with some explosive hitting, helping New Zealand post a massive total of 362 runs.

South Africa started well in the chase with a solid partnership between Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen. They kept losing wickets at important moments. David Miller fought hard and scored a century, but it wasn’t enough as South Africa fell short by 50 runs and got knocked out of the Champions Trophy.

Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson shine brilliantly

New Zealand chose to bat first. Their openers gave a good start with a 48-run partnership. Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson added 164 runs together for the second wicket, giving their team a strong base.

Rachin and Williamson both scored a century and helped New Zealand cross 200 runs in just 32 overs. Together, they hit 23 fours and 3 sixes, setting up a strong position for their team to finish well.

New Zealand was comfortably setting a target of over 300 runs. But Glenn Phillips wanted more. By the 40th over, the set batters were out, but Phillips and Daryl Mitchell scored 49 off 37 balls and built a crucial 57-run partnership to keep the momentum going.

Glenn Phillips played a fiery knock, smashing an unbeaten 49 off just 27 balls with six fours and a six. He went after Marco Jansen, hitting him for four back-to-back boundaries, and later took on Kagiso Rabada, scoring 19 runs in the 48th over. Thanks to his explosive finish, New Zealand put up a massive total of 362/6 at the end of their 50 overs.

South Africa got off to a strong start in their second innings. Even though Ryan Rickelton got out early, Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen control the innings with a solid 105-run partnership for the second wicket. Both batsmen played well, reaching their fifties and keeping the runs flowing at a good pace.

South Africa looked in control during their chase, with a strong partnership building nicely. But Mitchell Santner changed the game with a fantastic spell, taking out both set batters. One of his deliveries had just enough turn and drift to completely fool the batter.

The ball came in at an angle, then straightened just enough to beat the bat and hit the middle stump. Dussen had to walk back after scoring 69 runs from 66 balls.

New Zealand storms into the final, knocking South Africa out

Captain Santner kept things tight by taking an important wicket of Heinrich Klaasen. Rachin Ravindra also played his part by dismissing Markram, and then Bracewell sent Wiaan Mulder back to the pavilion.

South Africa couldn’t hold partnerships and the required run rate just went soaring high, until it reached beyond their control. David Miller scored a valiant century on the final ball of the inning, finishing his 100* runs in just 67 balls. But that wasn’t enough as South Africa got 312 runs and New Zealand stormed into the Champions Trophy finals.

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