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ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Big Blow To South Africa As Star Pacer Ruled Out

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Written by Anshuman Roy

South Africa Champions Trophy Squad

South Africa's ICC Champions Trophy 2025 hopes have taken a major blow with star pacer Anrich Nortje ruled out of the tournament. The pacer is ruled out due to a back injury. CSA are yet to name his replacement.

South Africa along with six other teams have already named their provisional squad for the tournament. Meanwhile, Crciket South Africa confirmed Nortje's injury with an official statement.

Nortje, who has not played international cricket since the T20 World Cup final in June last year, was named in the Champions Trophy squad earlier this week but scans on Monday made it clear that he is not going to be fit in time for the ICC event beginning February 19 in Pakistan.

"Pretoria Capitals fast bowler Anrich Nortje has been ruled out of the remainder of the Betway SA20 and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to a back injury," said Cricket South Africa in a statement.
"The 31-year-old, who was initially named in the Champions Trophy squad, underwent scans on Monday afternoon which revealed the extent of the injury. He is not expected to recover in time for the 50-over tournament, where South Africa will begin their campaign on February 21 against Afghanistan in Karachi, Pakistan. His replacement will be announced in due course," the statement added.

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Gerald Coetzee Likely To Replace Anrich Nortje

The Proteas have pacers like Gerald Coetzee and Kwena Maphaka who can replace him in the side. Coetzee despite his potential as a pacer was not initially included in South Africa's provisional squad.

Meanwhile, Anrich Nortje has not played an ODI since the ODI World Cup in 2023 and he played his last T20I for the Proteas since their loss to India in the T20 World Cup final in June 2024.

South Africa kick off their Champions Trophy campaign from February 21 against Afghanistan. They next take on Australia on February 25 and England on March 1. Previously South African Sports Minister Gayton Mckenzie urged the Proteas to boycott their match against Afghanistan on the back of the Taliban government's ban on women's cricket in Afghanistan.

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