The ICC Champions Trophy is nearing its conclusion and on Wednesday we will learn who will take on India in Sunday's final in Dubai.
India secured their spot in the final thanks to a four-wicket win against ODI World Cup winners Australia on Tuesday and the second semi-final pits South Africa against New Zealand in Lahore, Pakistan.
South Africa topped Group B earlier in the tournament, having beaten England and Afghanistan either side of a washout with Australia.
New Zealand, meanwhile, finished second to India in Group A, having beaten both Bangladesh and tournament hosts Pakistan en route to the knockouts.
South Africa are looking to win the ICC Champions Trophy title for the first time since it was renamed that, while New Zealand are aiming to triumph for the first time since 2000.
- SOUTH AFRICA TO WIN
- TOTAL MATCH RUNS - OVER 608.5
- HEINRICH KLAASEN TOP SOUTH AFRICA BATTER
Proteas Can Book Final Spot
South Africa's pre-tournament preparations were far from ideal as they lost to both New Zealand and Pakistan but they have excelled since the Champions Trophy started.
Their batsmen were in exceptional form in their opening win over Afghanistan, who they beat by 107 runs, and their bowlers caught the eye when they skittled out England for just 179 in their final group contest.
The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore has been a high-scoring venue in this tournament with teams scoring 6.65 runs per over on average and that should favour the Proteas, who have a power-packed batting lineup.
They are also boosted by the return from illness of captain Temba Bavuma and they are slowly but surely improving in big international tournaments, reaching the last four of the ODI World Cup in 2023 before finishing as runners-up at last year's T20 World Cup.
New Zealand could be licking their wounds after that India defeat and South Africa can prevail in Lahore.
SOUTH AFRICA TO WIN
Expect Electrifying Semi-Final In Lahore
Make no mistake - the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore typically means runs and there is every chance the total could go over the match runs line of 608.5.
Unlike Dubai, which has been testing for batters and a haven for spinners, the surface in Lahore is suited to both of these sides and they can be expected to play on the front foot.
South Africa have runs throughout them, having struck 315 in their opener against Afghanistan, while New Zealand made 320 against Pakistan in Karachi.
When these sides played a one-off ODI in February, they racked up 612 runs between them and it could be a similar story in this contest.
TOTAL MATCH RUNS - OVER 608.5
Classy Klaasen Can Impress Again
One player who could benefit from a high-scoring match is South Africa batsman Heinrich Klaasen.
Klaasen had been nursing an elbow injury but returned to the Proteas lineup in style against England last time out, striking 64 of 56 balls from number four in the batting lineup.
That was his fifth consecutive half-century in ODIs with his previous four scores of 97, 81, 87 and 64 all coming against Pakistan.
The wicketkeeper batsman is devastating when in form and averages an eye-catching 44.54 in this format, so do not be surprised if he tops the South Africa scoring charts once again.
HEINRICH KLAASEN TOP SOUTH AFRICA BATTER
