AUS vs SA: Top 3 Player Battles to Watch Out for in Champions Trophy 2025

Australia and South Africa are set to take on each other in the seventh game of the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The game will be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on February 25, at 2:30 PM (IST). It will be a crucial game for both teams as they continue their winning momentum in the tournament.

Australia are coming off a 5-wicket win against England in their campaign opener, which was a high-scoring affair at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. They are looking to have a good touch and will be eyeing to win the next game, strengthening their chances for the semi-finals at the tournament.

On the other hand, South Africa defeated Afghanistan by a massive margin of 107 runs in their campaign opener. They will aim to beat Australia and continue their winning run in the tournament.

Also Read: AUS vs SA: Top 3 batters to watch out for in Australia vs South Africa Champions Trophy match 7

Here are 3 player battles to watch out for in Australia vs South Africa Champions Trophy 2025:

3. Ryan Rickelton vs Ben Dwarshuis 

Star South Africa opener Ryan Rickelton has been in a brilliant run of form with the bat in the last couple of days. He played a match-winning century knock, scoring 103 runs off 106 balls, with seven fours and a six. Rickelton was the leading run-scorer for his side in the last game against Afghanistan. 

However, Rickelton will be facing a test from star Australia pacer Ben Dwarshuis, who will be bowling with the new ball. Dwarshuis was the most successful bowler for Australia in the last game against England, scalping 3 wickets at 66 runs in his 10 overs. So, it will be an interesting player battle between Rickelton and Dwarshuis to watch out for.

2. Josh Inglis vs Lungi Ngidi 

In-form Australia wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis smashed a sensational match-defining century in the high-scoring game against England. He scored 120 runs off just 86 balls, with eight fours and six sixes and helped Australia chase down the mammoth target of 352 runs with 2.3 overs to spare. 

Inglis might get a bit of a tough time under the test by the veteran South Africa pacer Lungi Ngidi. The Proteas pacer has good experience of bowling in the major ICC tournaments; he was one of the most successful bowlers for his side in the last game against Afghanistan, scalping 2 wickets at 56 runs in his eight overs.

1. Matthew Short vs Kagiso Rabada 

Star Australia opener Matthew Short was in brilliant form in the last game against the Three Lions; he played a crucial knock of 63 runs off 66 balls, with nine fours and a six. He also stitched a crucial partnership of 95 runs for the third wicket with Marnus Labuschagne. Short can play a vital role in providing an excellent start for Australia. 

However, he will have a challenge to overcome in Kagiso Rabada, who will be bowling with the new ball for South Africa in the powerplay overs. Rabada was the most successful bowler for his side in the last game against Afghanistan, scalping 3 wickets at just 36 runs, including a maiden over in his 8.3 overs. So, the battle between Matthew Short and Kagiso Rabada will be an interesting one to watch out for. 

Also Read: AUS vs SA: Top 3 bowlers to watch out for in Australia vs South Africa Champions Trophy match 7