The Champions Trophy 2025 is all set to begin on February 19 as eight of the best teams in the world compete for the mega prize. One of the favourite teams to qualify for the semi-finals and ultimately win the trophy is South Africa. The Proteas have never won an ICC trophy, and would finally want to end their trophy drought under the captaincy of Temba Bavuma.

Strengths: South Africa have one of the most formidable top-6 in world cricket at the moment. Tony de Zozi and Temba Bavuma will open the batting, with Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen in the middle order. This is a well-rounded lineup who can score big runs- whether batting first or chasing. The averages of these top 6 batters ranges from 32 to 48 while all of them have a strike rate from 86 to 118.

South Africa also have a fantastic spin attack with Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj offering variety in the attack. They also boast two of the most in-form pacers in Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen in their lineup.

Weakness: The injury to Anrich Nortje has left a void in their pace attack, and hence South Africa would have to rely on Corbin Bosch as their third pacer. The Proteas also lack adequate 6th and 7th bowling options. Apart from the 5 bowlers, only Aiden Markram has the ability to roll his arm over.

South Africa also have not been in great ODI form in the recent past. They lost an ODI series to Afghanistan in 2024, while also losing a match to Ireland in the 4-match series that year. They recently failed to qualify for the final of the tri-series involving Pakistan and New Zealand.

Opportunities: South Africa have done well in ICC events in the recent past, qualifying for the ODI World Cup 2023 semi-final, and the final of the T20 World Cup 2024 and WTC 2025. They now have the opportunity to go one step forward and finally shed their chokers tag and win their first-ever ICC trophy

Threats: South Africa's chokers tag is the biggest threat to them in the Champions Trophy 2025. The Proteas have time and again succumbed to pressure in the biggest occasions and the biggest matches when it mattered the most. The most recent example in the T20 World Cup 2024 final, where they lost from a position where they needed 30 runs to win in 30 balls.

South Africa Champions Trophy 2025 Squad

Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Corbin Bosch.

Travelling reserve: Kwena Maphaka

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