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The Proteas hold a 42-26 lead in the SA vs NZ head-to-head record. They have been the much better side when the two teams have clashed in the format. However, in their past five clashes, New Zealand has come on top thrice. The two teams last came against each other in the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Kane Williamson, with an unbeaten century, steered the Kiwis to a victory.
South Africa and New Zealand have clashed against each other twice in the Champions Trophy. The SA vs NZ head-to-head record is even, with both teams sharing a victory each. The Blackcaps won by 87 runs in 2006, while the Proteas won by five wickets in 2009.
South Africa and New Zealand have faced each other once at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The clash came pretty recently, in February 2025. The Kiwis, thanks to an unbeaten century from former skipper Kane Williamson. The SA vs NZ head-to-head record at the Gaddafi Stadium features a pretty small sample size. New Zealand toppled South Africa to win the only match that the two teams have played against each other at the stadium.
The overall stats of the Gadaffi Stadium in Lahore will highly impact the SA vs NZ head-to-head. Shoaib Malik has scored the most runs at the venue. The former Pakistani all-rounder has scored 1,030 runs in 23 innings. Among the active players, Kane Williamson holds the record for the best batting average at the stadium.
Lahore has been a great venue for the batters in the ongoing Champions Trophy. In two completed games at the venue, scores of 300 and more have been made in each of the four innings. England lost both of these games once while defending against Australia and once while chasing against Afghanistan.
Over the years, the Gadaffi Stadium has provided great conditions for batters. As South Africa takes on New Zealand in the semifinal. The pitch conditions will play a huge role in affecting the SA vs NZ head-to-head. Batters have enjoyed their time in Lahore. The bowlers would have to be at their best to make sure that they contain the flow of runs.
The two semifinalists feature some of the most aggressive hitters, including the likes of Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Darryl Mitchell, and Glenn Phillips. Stopping these players from going big will be the first priority for bowlers.
Both South Africa and New Zealand have put on some great matches when they have clashed against each other. It has helped to keep the intensity of the match high, thanks to some great players playing for both teams. Jacques Kallis has scored the most runs in South Africa vs New Zealand clashes. David Miller, Rassie van der Dussen, and Kane Williamson are the only active players to feature in the record list. These three will play a crucial role in sealing the victory for their respective sides in the SA vs NZ head-to-head on Wednesday.
Both South Africa and New Zealand will feature some of the best players on Sunday. The two teams will bank on these impact players to win the clash in Lahore and book a place in the final. The SA vs NZ head-to-head will be affected by how these important players perform.
Heinrich Klaasen came back into form in the previous game against England. The right-handed destructive batter scored 64 runs off 56 deliveries. His match-winning knock consisted of 11 fours. He was playing his first game in the tournament and looked in great touch.
Marco Jansen in South Africa’s team is probably the most important player. The tall all-rounder provides a great deal of stability in the Proteas’ lineup. He is coming into this game on the back of a Player of the Match-winning performance. Jansen, against Englan,d picked up three wickets and took three catches as well.
Kagiso Rabada is the leader of the South African bowling attack. The right-arm pacer is currently among the best bowlers in the world. In the two games he has played in the tournament so far, Rabada has taken four wickets. He has bowled economically as well, conceding only 5.03 runs per over.
Kane Williamson, after struggling for the first two games, got back in form against India. The former Kiwi skipper scored 81 runs in 120 deliveries. His strike rate proved to be a great reason behind the Blackcaps’ loss against India. However, the New Zealand think tank would be happy that their best batter has got some runs under his belt.
New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner is one of the most important players in the upcoming clash. Apart from his leadership skills, Santner will also be required to be at his best in all facets of the game. With the ball in hand, the left-arm spinner will lead the bowling attack. The 33-year-old would hope that he is not needed with the bat in hand.
Matt Henry, in the absence of Trent Boult and Tim Southee, is leading the Kiwi bowling attack. The right-arm pacer is currently leading the bowling charts for taking the most wickets in the Champions Trophy. He picked up a five-wicket haul against India in the previous clash.
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