New Zealand beat South Africa, enter final of Champions Trophy

New Zealand left-arm spinner and captain Mitchell Santner led by example, taking three crucial wickets against South Africa to help his side beat South Africa and enter the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

They will face India in Dubai on Sunday (starting at 9am GMT).

It looked like South Africa might stage a challenge to New Zealand's huge total of 362/6, with Rassie van der Dussen and Temba Bavuma forming a big-hitting hundred partnership for the second wicket.

Then Santner got involved, removing both of them plus Heinrich Klaasen (caught by Matt Henry) to leave the Proteas with an uphill task.

Despite David Miller's best efforts, coming in at No 6 and top-scoring with 100, South Africa finished on 312/9 - meaning the Black Caps won by 50 runs.

Henry had taken the first wicket of the innings, luring opener Ryan Rickelton to play to Michael Bracewell for 17.

And Rachin Ravindra took the fifth with a sharp caught-and-bowled of Aiden Markram for 31 off 29 balls.

Bracewell removed Wiaan Mulder and Glenn Phillips began to mop up the tail, trapping Marco Jansen lbw and then tempting Keshav Maharaj to edge behind to Tom Latham.

He played a part in Kagiso Rabada's dismissal too, catching him off a Henry ball in the 46th over, leaving South Africa with more than 100 required for the last wicket.

Earlier, Ravindra had made a key contribution with the bat - making a century, as did Kane Williamson - as New Zealand set a big total of 362/6.

Only twice in ODI history has a total that big been successfully chased down in the second innings - and both times it was South Africa who did it.

Ravindra fell for a well-played 108 off 101 balls - caught by Klaasen off the bowling of Kagiso Rabada - with Williamson making 102 off 94 before being caught by Lungi Ngidi off Mulder.

Will Young had been the first wicket to fall, caught by Markram off Ngidi, leaving New Zealand on 48/1.

But Ravindra and Williamson created an excellent partnership, brought to an end only in the 34th over.

And Phillips missed out on taking the strike for the last ball of the innings, meaning he also missed out on a half-century, finishing with 49 off 27 balls - including six fours and a maximum.

Mitchell Santner

Captain Santner had the last word, with two scampered from that last delivery.

The Proteas finished atop Group B, with two wins from three outings while their game against Australia was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

New Zealand on the other hand were the second ranked side in Group A, with convincing wins over Pakistan and Bangladesh.

(With inputs ICC)

New Zealand, ICC, South Africa, Lahore, Champions Trophy, Mitchell Santner, David Miller, Kane Williamson