South Africa v New Zealand: Free Tips, Prediction and Odds

South Africa thrashed England in their final Champions Trophy Group B fixture and they aim to extend their winning streak against New Zealand in Wednesday's semi-final in Lahore.

South Africa v New Zealand free betting tips and predictions

South Africa to win - 4/5

South Africa have a notoriously poor record in major tournaments but they have played some excellent cricket in recent World Cups and are one win away from reaching the final of the Champions Trophy.

A competitive New Zealand side stand in their way in Wednesday's semi-final in Lahore, where the winners will progress to Sunday's final against India.

New Zealand's five-match winning run in ODIs came to an end last weekend, when they lost to the Indians by 44 runs on a spinning pitch in the UAE.

The Black Caps' fielding was characteristically sharp, with Kane Williamson and Glenn Phillips claiming stunning one-handed catches, but their batters stumbled to 205 all out in pursuit of 250 for victory.

Only Williamson, with 81, put up much resistance and New Zealand may struggle to bounce back against a well-balanced South African unit.

Temba Bavuma's men hammered Afghanistan by 107 runs in their Group B opener before their clash with world champions Australia was washed out.

The Proteas showed no mercy to struggling England, playing their final game under the captaincy of Jos Buttler, as they bowled out their opponents for just 179 in Karachi.

Slick half-centuries from Rassie van der Dussen and Heinrich Klaasen powered South Africa to a seven-wicket win and they should be full of confidence after their efforts at recent tournaments.

They won seven of their nine league-phase fixtures at the 2023 World Cup, including a 190-run drubbing of New Zealand.

A narrow semi-final defeat to Australia ended their dream and they came even closer to glory at last year's T20 World Cup, suffering an agonising seven-run loss to India in the final.

South Africa and New Zealand appear evenly matched but the Proteas' fast bowlers have adapted well to conditions in Pakistan and their power-packed middle-order could give them a decisive edge.

Rassie van der Dussen to be South Africa top batter - 4/1

Van der Dussen arrived in Pakistan after a prolific SA20 campaign for champions MI Cape Town and he has extended his fine runscoring form to the 50-over format.

The 36-year-old knows the clock is ticking on his international career but he remains a crucial figure in South Africa's white-ball set-up.

After an undefeated 62 in the warm-up game in Karachi, Van der Dussen made 52 off 46 balls against Afghanistan and steered his side home against England with an innings of 72 not out, featuring six fours and three sixes.

He has terrific pedigree in 50-over cricket, as only two players in history, Shubman Gill and Hashim Amla, reached 2,000 ODI runs in fewer innings than his 45.

Van der Dussen has played only two ODIs against New Zealand, both at World Cups, scoring 67 not out at Edgbaston in 2019 and a brilliant 133 off 118 balls in the 2023 win in Pune.

Keshav Maharaj to take over 1.5 wickets - 11/8

South Africa spinner Keshav Maharaj also starred in the 2023 World Cup victory against New Zealand, claiming 4-46 from his nine overs.

Maharaj had warmed up for that tournament with 4-33 against Australia in Johannesburg and he recorded combined figures of 3-54 from 20 overs in two World Cup meetings with the Aussies.

He also tied down India's batters in Kolkata, where he took 1-30 in 10 overs, and has looked in great rhythm at the Champions Trophy.

The experienced left-armer dismissed the dangerous Harry Brook and Liam Livingstone in the win over England and is a tempting bet to take two or more wickets on Wednesday. 

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South Africa v New Zealand odds

South Africa - 4/5
New Zealand - 1/1

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.