South Africa crashed out of the 2025 Champions Trophy after losing to New Zealand in the semi-final. Here are the squad's player ratings for the tournament.
Ryan Rickelton - 7
3 matches, 147 runs at 49, SR: 102.79, HS: 103
Came in as an injury replacement in South Africa’s tournament opener against Afghanistan and delivered a match-winning century at the top, extending his good form in international cricket. Though the runs dried up thereafter, in Rickelton, South Africa could have a potential like-for-like replacement at the top for the retired Quinton de Kock.
Tony de Zorzi - 1
1 match, 11 run at 11, SR: 100, HS: 11
Failed to impress after opening against Afghanistan before missing the England fixture due to an illness. De Zorzi didn’t play the semi-final as well.
Tristan Stubbs - 0
1 match, No run at 0, SR: 0, HS: 0
Opening the batting for the first time, against England, Stubbs, replacing de Zorzi, was castled by Jofra Archer for a duck in only the third over of South Africa’s run-chase of 180. That was his only appearance.
Temba Bavuma - 7
2 matches, 114 runs at 57, SR: 77.55, HS: 58
Having missed the England fixture due to illness, Bavuma scored fifties in both matches he played. However, his strike-rate has raised a few eyebrows, especially during South Africa's chase of a record 362-6 in the semi-final. One could argue that South Africa might have covered the 50-run deficit had Bavuma, opening the innings, batted faster – he took 71 balls for his 56.
However, from a captaincy perspective, he was astute, leading South Africa to yet another ICC tournament semi-final.
Rassie van der Dussen - 9.5
3 matches, 193 runs at 96.50, SR: 96.98, HS: 72*
Van der Dussen has been consistent throughout the tournament, playing the role of South Africa’s accumulator to perfection. Three half-centuries in a row highlight the excellent form he has been in, making him South Africa's best batter in the competition..
Heinrich Klaasen - 5
2 matches, 67 runs at 33.50, SR: 106.34, HS: 64
Returning from an injury, Klaasen's boundary-filled 64 ensured South Africa chased down the modest total without many hiccups. At 161-3 in the semi-final, the stage was perfectly set for him to pull off a miraculous chase. However, much to his team’s disappointment, he was dismissed for just three.
Aiden Markram - 6
3 matches, 83 runs at 83, SR: 127.69, HS: 52*
No wicket at 0, ER: 5.75, BBI: N/A
Provided late impetus to South Africa’s innings against Afghanistan with a record fifty off just 33 balls. Against England, Markram, however, didn’t bat as he was subbed out for facing discomfort in his right hamstring after playing as the Proteas’ stand-in captain in Bavuma’s absence. Despite concerns over his fitness before the top-four clash, Markram stepped up for his side but was dismissed for a 27-ball 31.
Rolling his arm over for the first time in the semi-final, Markram stood out with an economy of 5.75 from four overs, especially as four out of the five other bowlers conceded over seven runs per over.
David Miller - 7
3 matches, 121 runs at 121, SR: 139.08, HS: 100*
Another semi-final, another hundred, another heart-break for Miller. With South Africa needing 196 in 128 balls, a 67-ball unbeaten century from No.6 narrowed the equation, though it ultimately wasn’t enough.
David Miller walked out to bat at No.6 when South Africa needed 196 in 128 deliveries to win the Champions Trophy semi-final.
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) March 5, 2025
He started cautiously before accelerating at the end, but his efforts went in vain.
What do you make of his knock against New Zealand? pic.twitter.com/SsprJgcPA9
Marco Jansen - 7
3 matches, 4 wickets at 37.50, ER: 6, BBI: 3-39
3 runs at 1.50, SR: 37.50, HS: 3
After a decent outing against Afghanistan, Jansen’s fiery spell neutralised England’s top order, restricting them to just 37 runs. However, his figures deteriorated in the semi-final, where he went wicketless in his 10 overs, conceding 79 runs. There weren't any notable batting returns from his side.
Wiaan Mulder - 9
3 matches, 6 wickets at 18.16, ER: 4.88, BBI: 3-25
20 runs at 20, SR: 105.26, HS: 12*
Mulder finished as South Africa’s highest-wicket-taker. His economy also indicates that he was difficult to score off. With the bat, a six-ball 12 not out at No.8 to take South Africa to 315-6 against Afghanistan was pretty much it for him.
England fast bowler Brydon Carse has been ruled out of IPL 2025 due to injury. Sunrisers Hyderabad have signed South African all-rounder Wiaan Mulder as a replacement.#IPL2025 #SunrisersHyderabad pic.twitter.com/33kGTULS8F
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) March 6, 2025
Keshav Maharaj - 7
3 matches, 3 wickets at 48.66, ER: 4.86, BBI: 2-35
Despite his miserly spells, South Africa would have preferred Maharaj, their sole frontline spinner, to strike more regularly. However, the thin wicket column is also partly due to the flat pitches in Pakistan.
Kagiso Rabada- 7
3 matches, 6 wickets at 24.66, ER: 5.80, BBI: 3-36
Rabada was slightly short of his best in the tournament. Despite a 3-36 against Afghanistan, he failed to consistently deliver the performances expected of him.
Lungi Ngidi - 7
3 matches, 6 wickets at 26.83, ER: 6.44, BBI: 3-72
Ngidi picked up wickets but leaked plenty of runs at the same time, finishing with the worst economy rate among the group.
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