South Africa Suffer Massive Jolt To Their Champions Trophy Campaign, Star Player Likely To Miss CT 2025 Semifinal

Ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025 semifinal, South Africa have received a major setback. The Proteas defeated England by seven wickets and will now face either India or New Zealand in the last four.

Aiden Markram Took A Hit During SA vs ENG Champions Trophy Game

Temba Bavuma was ruled out of the match due to an illness and Aiden Markram took over the charge in his absence. But the stand-in captain appeared to have hurt his hamstring during the fielding and left the field in discomfort. Markram didn't come to the ground during the remaining first inning and also didn't have to come out for batting as Rassie van der Dussen and Heinrich Klaasen ensured their team ended the group stage with a dominating win. The extent of his injury is still unknown and if he does miss the semifinal clash it will severely dent South Africa's Champions Trophy hopes.

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South Africa Missed Two Players Against England

Markram confirmed that both Bavuma and Tony de Zorzi are missing the game due to illness. As quoted by the Indian Express he said at the toss, “Two guys have had illness around the camp, Tony (de Zorsi) and Temba miss out. Unfortunate that they miss out but hopefully they will recover. *Tristan) Stubbs and Klaasen come into the side. Stubbs has a good technique, he will open the batting. Our last game got rained out, we had a few training sessions, we are ready for this game."

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The 30-year-old looked in good touch against Afghanistan and scored a valiant 52. The semifinal opponents are yet to be decided as the outcome of the India vs New Zealand game will decide who will top Group A. India are designated to play their semifinal match in Dubai on March 4 while the second semifinal match will be played at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium on March 5. South Africa lost to India in the T20 World Cup final last year and they have now got another golden chance to end their prolonged title drought.