The South Africa cricket team will enter the ICC Champions Trophy as one of the favourites. Despite being placed in the ‘group of death’ alongside Australia, England, and Afghanistan, the Proteas aren’t to be taken lightly. Yes, a World Cup (ODI or T20I) has kept evading them, but that doesn’t mean they can’t wrestle past any of the other seven teams to win their second ICC title.
South Africa has been one of the better teams in the world in the last couple of years. They made the ODI World Cup 2023 semifinal and lost in a close match to the eventual champions, Australia. In 2024, they made the final of the T20 World Cup, and if it weren’t for that Suryakumar Yadav catch, things might have been different. Not to forget, they are in the final of the World Test Championship 2023-25 as well.
South Africa’s squad for ICC Champions Trophy
They have assembled a strong squad for the ICC Champions Trophy. But there are a few concerns. Considering they’ll play all of their group-stage matches in Pakistan (Karachi and Rawalpindi), planning might be slightly easier, and those weaknesses may not hinder their chance of title contention as much.
Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen.
Injury issue for South Africa
A glance at the squad would show that injury could be South Africa’s issue at the ICC Champions Trophy. Anrich Nortje, Gerald Coetzee, Nandre Burger, and Lizaad Williams are all injured. Lungi Ngidi is also coming back from an injury, and if he isn’t able to make it, there is no one in the squad to cover for him. Wiaan Mulder hasn’t bowled much in the SA20 either.
Keshav Maharaja was injured a while ago as well; if God forbid he has a niggle, they don’t have an extra spinner either. If things remain on track, South Africa has a great chance, but if they don’t go as planned, they might be in big trouble. They are yet to name a replacement for Nortje since three other pacers are also injured.
Batting trouble
Temba Bavuma would be great as the captain and opener, but neither Ryan Rickelton nor Tony de Zorzi have proven themselves in T20Is. Rickelton has been doing well in the SA20, and being in form should help his case. There are doubts about Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, and Heinrich Klaasen.
While Markram and van der Dussen have been doing fine in the SA20, their ODI record in 2024 wasn’t great. In the latter’s case, 2023 was bad as well. Klaasen has done well in 50-over cricket since 2022, but his current performance (SA20) is very poor. However, David Miller won’t be that big a concern. He’s been a rock for them and will continue to be so.
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Depth in batting and bowling
With two all-rounders, Marco Jansen and Mulder, South Africa will do well. Not only them, but you also have Markram, who can bowl 10 overs on spin-friendly wickets as well. The issue would be injury again. Mulder hasn’t bowled much in SA20 and can’t be trusted with many miles in his legs. His batting has reached a new level, but bowling might be a concern.
As for the other bowlers, Kagiso Rabada and Maharaj will be the best bowlers for them. Tabraiz Shamsi might not play every game, since we don’t know the pitches will be in Pakistan, but any sign of turn and he’ll be in with Maharaj. As mentioned above, if injury doesn’t play spoilsport, things might line up for South Africa at the ICC Champions Trophy, but one forced change and it might all come crashing down.
South Africa’s Best Playing XI for ICC Champions Trophy
| S. No | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Temba Bavuma (c) | Batter |
| 2 | Ryan Rickelton | Batter (occasional wicketkeeper) |
| 3 | Rassie van der Dussen | Batter |
| 4 | Aiden Markram | Batting all-rounder |
| 5 | Heinrich Klaasen | Wicketkeeper |
| 6 | David Miller | Batter |
| 7 | Marco Jansen | All-rounder |
| 8 | Wiaan Mulder | All-rounder |
| 9 | Keshav Maharaja | Left-arm orthodox |
| 10 | Kagiso Rabada | Pacer |
| 11 | Tabraiz Shamsi | Left-arm wrist-spinner |
