Having all but qualified for the semi-final of the Champions Trophy 2025, South Africa will take on England in their final league game on Saturday to put a stamp on their entry. Already assured of the semi-finals were Australia from Group B, and below them at the second spot in the points table is the Proteas. Unless Temba Bavuma’s men go down to England by a considerable margin, they are into the semi-finals. This means that even a narrowest of wins shall suffice for the knockout round.
Afghanistan is the third team in contention for the semi-finals from Group B; however, their chances are practically nonexistent. As for possibilities and figures, for Afghanistan to qualify, England need to beat South Africa by 207 runs minimum or win the chase in 11.1 overs, assuming 300 was the target in each case.
While so far, 10 matches in Champions Trophy 2025 have happened, with 8 having been played in Pakistan and all the remaining three having been washed out by rain-so what will happen if rain intervenes in the South Africa-England match? Almost certainly point sharing would see the Proteas through. But what about the semi-finals line-ups?
If rain arrives during the Zimbabwe-South Africa game and washes it out, Temba Bavuma’s side will reach four points, the same as Australia. But in this instance, South Africa will have a much better NRR of +2.140 to occupy the very first spot, while Australia boasts an NRR of +0.475, Of now, the net run rate remains unaffected in the event that no result comes about from a match.
If India tops the Group A table, they will square off against Australia in the semi-finals of the tournament, which will pit South Africa against New Zealand in the knockout stage.
If Sharma’s side finishes second, then the semi-finals will see South Africa pitted against India, while Australia will clash with New Zealand.
The final league match of the two teams takes place on March 2 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The outcome will also wrap up the finishing places of both teams in Group A.
India will play either semi-final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on March 4, while the other will be played at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on March 5.