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The ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 has reached its final stages with the semi-finals setup perfectly. While India will take on Australia in the first semi-final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Tuesday, March 4, South Africa, who finished at the top of the table in Group B will take on New Zealand at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Wednesday, March 5.
But ahead of the crucial match, the Proteas Men have been handed a massive setback with increasing fitness concerns around Aiden Markram. It is to be noted that Markram experienced soreness in his hamstring and subsequently left the field during South Africa’s match against England on March 1. Although, he ruled out the severity of the injury, but his condition appears to be serious.
South Africa call up George Linde as Aiden Markram’s cover ahead of semi-final clash
However, none of the Protea officials have confirmed this development, but George Linde was away on Monday, March 3 from Western Province training as he made his way to the CT. Earlier, Markram was quoted as saying by a South African publication Independent Online, “I think it's all right. It was mostly precautionary more than anything else. It feels okay. Hopefully, over the next few days, I can get some good rest, sort it out, and be good to go from there."
When it comes to Linde’s inclusion, according to tournament regulations, any team naming a replacement first needs approval from the Event technical Committee, which at this moment includes ICC and PCB officials along with former Protea great Shaun Pollock. On the other hand, South Africa are also examining the fitness of Tony de Zorzi and Temba Bavuma.
South Africa’s ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 squad
Temba Bavuma (c), Corbin Bosch, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, and Rassie van der Dussen.
Travelling reserve: Kwena Maphaka
