South Africa announce Pace-heavy 15-member squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025; Temba Bavuma to lead the star-studded team 

South Africa will play their first match of the ICC Champions Trophy on February 21 against Afghanistan at National Stadium, Karachi.

South Africa are the inaugural champion of the ICC Champions Trophy, as they won the first edition back in 1998. But since then, they have made it to the knockouts of multiple ICC events but couldn't win a title yet. But they will look to end this drought as they enter the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 as one of the favorites.

South Africa are placed in Group B, which already has Australia, England, and Afghanistan. This is the toughest group of two, as all four teams can surprise anyone. The Proteas will begin their journey with their first game against Afghanistan on February 21 at National Stadium, Karachi.

South Africa have been very consistent in the ICC events in the last few tournaments across formats. They made it to the final of the T20 World Cup 2024 and were the semifinalists in the ODI World Cup 2023. Recently, they made it to the World Test Championship final. Hence, they will not be the underdog this time around. On Monday, Cricket South Africa announced the 15-member squad for the coming tournament.

Temba Bavuma to lead South Africa in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025

South Africa announced a strong 15-member squad that has almost all the bases covered. The batting unit looks strong, and they have some serious fast bowlers in their ranks. Temba Bavuma will lead the squad that has some big match-winners like Heinrich Klaasen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, and Rassie van der Dussen.

Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj will be two specialist spinners, as the conditions in Pakistan and the UAE are more in favor of the spinners. The Proteas have brought back Lungi Ngidi and Anrich Nortje, who have experience of playing in Pakistan before. Marco Jansen and Wiaan Mulder are the two specialist pace-bowling all-rounders in the squad.

Anrich Nortje will play his first ODI since September 2023, as he was out of action due to injury. Similarly, Ngidi is also making his comeback after missing out on the last 4-5 months of action due to a groin injury. The Proteas have gone with a similar batch of players that played in the ODI World Cup 2023. Ten players are from the same squad. South Africa will play their group matches on February 21, 25, and March 1, respectively.

South Africa's Squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

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

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