Why is Tristan Stubbs Not Playing Champions Trophy Semi-Final 2 New Zealand vs South Africa?

Discussions have been raised about the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 second semi-final between South Africa and New Zealand because of the high-stakes match as well as Tristan Stubbs' exclusion from the starting lineup. The Proteas brought back captain Temba Bavuma following his recuperation from illness, thus the youthful middle-order batsman, who played in South Africa's most recent group-stage game, was left out of the semi-final team.

Both sides have experienced heartbreak in previous ICC championships. With two victories and one loss in the league round, South Africa comes into the match with impressive performances. They chased down 180 in just 29.1 overs to defeat England by seven wickets. In the meantime, New Zealand encountered some difficulties in their most recent match, which ended in a low-scoring contest against India. Their batting crumbled as they chased 250, scoring just 205.

Tristan Stubbs Suffers Setback:

Tristan Stubbs Sitting On Bench Because Temba Bavuma He Played Very Slow That's Why Pressure on other Batters He Playing On Captaincy Quota @ProteasMenCSA Should Dropped Him and Give Captaincy To Klassen/ Markram. #NZvSA#SAvsNZ#ChampionsTrophy2025pic.twitter.com/0vGukcFD0B

— 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐮𝐧𝐌𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞 🜲 (@Iamlakshya_18) March 5, 2025

Tristan Stubbs was added to the playing XI after Temba Bavuma was forced to miss the previous game against England due to illness. Stubbs was forced to sit out because South Africa's team management decided to bring back their skipper now that Bavuma had fully recovered. Both sides will try to seize their opportunities. According to head-to-head records, the Proteas have won 25 of the 73 ODI matches. These two nations even squared off in the second match of the Pakistan Tri-Nation Series, which the Kiwis won at this ground by a margin of six wickets.

Due to illness, Temba Bavuma was unable to play in the most recent match against England. Consequently, in his absence, Aiden Markram took the lead. Notably, Markram was also battling some injury issues, but he recovered in time for the exciting semifinal match, which has undoubtedly lifted South Africa's morale.

NZ vs SA Playing XIs: 

New Zealand: Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, and William O'Rourke.

South Africa: Rassie van der Dussen, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Ryan Rickelton, Temba Bavuma (c), David Miller, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, and Lungi Ngidi.