As the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 approaches, the Proteas enter the tournament with optimism and high fan expectations.

With a strong squad led by Temba Bavuma, the Proteas will look to overcome their recent shortcomings and chase the elusive trophy that has slipped through their fingers in previous editions. However, their journey to success is expected to be challenging, particularly given the absence of key fast bowlers and the ever-present pressure of performing on the world stage.

South Africa’s record in the Champions Trophy has been a tale of near-misses. The Proteas have reached the semi-finals three times (2000, 2002, and 2013) and managed to win it in 1998, their only ICC title in their history.

The team’s highest total in the tournament came in the 2002/03 edition when they put up a formidable 316/5 against Kenya. With a squad brimming with talent, South Africa will hope that history does not repeat itself and that they can break their recent semi-final jinx in 2025.

South Africa’s group-stage fixtures in the tournament are as follows:

• 21st February: Afghanistan vs South Africa – National Stadium, Karachi
• 25th February: Australia vs South Africa – Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
• 1st March: South Africa vs England – National Stadium, Karachi

While South Africa is well-positioned to advance from this group, their path will not be easy. Afghanistan has been steadily improving, Australia remains a formidable force, and England, with their aggressive brand of cricket, is always a threat in global tournaments. South Africa’s performance in the group stages will likely be determined by how well they adapt to the conditions and how they manage their squad.

The biggest worry for South Africa heading into the tournament is the state of their bowling attack. With key pace bowlers Anrich Nortje, Nandre Burger, and Gerald Coetzee all sidelined due to injury, the Proteas’ pace attack is looking thin. This places immense pressure on the shoulders of Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen to deliver consistently throughout the tournament.

Rabada, who has been a mainstay in the South African bowling line-up for years, will need to lead from the front. Known for his pace, aggression, and ability to pick up wickets at crucial stages, Rabada will be South Africa’s go-to bowler in the powerplay and death overs. His leadership on the field will be crucial as the team looks to be dominant.

Marco Jansen will also be expected to step up in a major way. While his raw pace and bounce can trouble the best of batters, he has often been inconsistent. Jansen’s ability to build pressure and bowl long spells will be key in ensuring South Africa’s bowling attack remains potent in the absence of several key bowlers.

One of the wildcard players in the bowling department will be Lungi Ngidi. Ngidi has shown moments of brilliance in the past, and his skill set makes him capable of being a top performer. However, his recent struggles with fitness have raised concerns about his ability to perform at the highest level. If Ngidi can stay fit and regain his best form, he will add depth and balance to South Africa’s pace attack.

While much of the focus will be on the pace bowlers, South Africa’s all-rounders and spinners will play a pivotal role in the tournament, especially given the conditions in Pakistan. The slow and spin-friendly pitches in Karachi and Rawalpindi are expected to favour spinners and offer more opportunities for all-rounders to contribute with both bat and ball.

Wiaan Mulder and Corbin Bosch, both solid with the ball, will have the task of stepping up as key contributors in the middle overs with the ball.

While Bosch is more known for his bowling, the all-rounder will be expected to chip in with the bat when needed, adding depth to the lower order. Mulder’s ability to control the game in the middle overs will be vital, particularly in games where the fast bowlers are unable to break through.

In the spin department, Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi will be crucial. Maharaj has been a reliable performer for South Africa in limited-overs cricket, while Shamsi’s wrist spin can deceive even the most accomplished batters on his day. With the pitches in Pakistan traditionally aiding spinners, both Maharaj and Shamsi will be key to South Africa’s success in breaking partnerships and maintaining pressure through the middle overs. Aiden Markram will also have to play his part with the ball.

South Africa’s batting will be anchored by Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, and David Miller – three players with considerable experience in ICC tournaments.

Temba Bavuma, the captain, will also play a key role in stabilizing the innings at the top, but the real fireworks are expected from explosive middle-order hitters like Heinrich Klaasen and Tristan Stubbs. Both are capable of turning games in the latter stages with their aggressive stroke play.

With Ryan Rickelton and Tony de Zorzi in the mix, South Africa’s batting depth appears solid. They will need to adapt quickly to the conditions in Pakistan, where the wickets could be tricky, and the pressure of a big international stage could affect their stroke-making. However, with the likes of Miller and Klaasen in the team, South Africa has the firepower to chase down challenging totals.

For South Africa, the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy represents both an opportunity and a challenge. With a squad packed with talent, they have the potential to go far. However, their ability to overcome their struggles in knock-out rounds will be tested.

While they have historically been the team who are always so close yet so far in ICC tournaments, 2025 could be the year that South Africa breaks the hoodoo and clinches an ICC Trophy. The team’s strength lies in its unity and talent across the board, but it will need to adapt to conditions in Pakistan, harness the spin-friendly pitches, and ensure that key players fire.

South Africa’s journey begins with their group-stage matches against Afghanistan, Australia, and England, and how they fare in these encounters will set the tone for the rest of the tournament. With a balanced mix of experience and youthful exuberance, the Proteas will be hoping that the 2025 Champions Trophy marks the beginning of a new era of success for South African cricket.