NZ vs SA: South Africa playing XI vs New Zealand, Match 32, ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 – Predicted

South Africa will face New Zealand in match No. 32 of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 on Wednesday.

South Africa have been a pretty dominant team in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. Proteas have been phenomenal and have produced some high-scoring contests so far. Apart from an unexpected loss against Netherlands, they have the better of all the other opposition. South Africa are now against New Zealand, who are also doing well.

This game will take place on Wednesday at the MCA Stadium in Pune. If South Africa wins the game, they will qualify for the semi-finals, which is also the case for New Zealand. Thus, it will be an exciting contest between two heavyweights. Here we will talk about the predicted playing XI for South Africa against New Zealand.

NZ vs SA: South Africa's Predicted playing XI vs New Zealand

1. Quinton de Kock (wk) :

Quinton de Kock has been at his absolute best in this tournament. He is at the top of the leading scoring chart and is one of the prime reasons for South Africa's success so far. De Kock has scored 431 runs at an average of 71.83 and a strike rate of 117.11. If he can continue it, he will take the game away from New Zealand.

2. Temba Bavuma (c) :

Temba Bavua looks like a slightly weaker link in this South African team. But an ODi career average of over 50 will shut down all those doubts. South African captain knows that he needs a big innings, and we might see something special from him when they play against New Zealand and take his team to victory.

3. Rassie van der Dussen :

Rassie van der Dussen makes batting look easy because of his ability to rotate strikes. He has been in good form and has scored 220 runs with one hundred and one fifty. His main role will be to hold one end if an early wicket falls, or else go with the flow and play aggressively.

4. Aiden Markram :

Aiden Markram is one of the top five run-scorers in this tournament. He has improved his power-hitting, which is pretty visible so far. He has scored 356 runs at an average and strike rate of 59.33 and 115.96, respectively, which is an exceptional record for a middle-order batter. Markram will also have a role with the ball in hand against South Africa.

5. Heinrich Klaasen :

Heinrich Klaasen will be the biggest threat for New Zealand; if he gets going, fans will be treated with sixes and boundaries. Klaasen has been unstoppable so far, and he just needs a few overs to change the situation of the game. He has scored 300 runs at an incredible strike rate of 149.25 and has hit 16 sixes already.

6. David Miller :

David Miller is a key part of this mighty South African batting line-up. He is the perfect finisher on the team who can hit sixes at will. Miller has made contributions and played some important cameos so far. He has scored 167 runs at a strike rate of 119.28. Whether it is chasing or setting the target, Miller's wicket will be a key in both situations.

7. Marco Jansen :

Marco Jansen has been the perfect player for South Africa, giving the team the right balance with both bat and ball. He has scored important runs with the bat and has scored 143 runs at a strike rate of 128.82. Then, he has also taken 13 wickets at 21.69 and has the most wickets in the powerplay. If he can continue and take early wickets, New Zealand will be under immense pressure.

8. Gerald Coetzee :

Gerald Coetzee is one player who has certainly surprised everyone with some consistency. He is a pretty decent lower-order striker but has done his premium role with the ball beautifully. Coetzee has taken 12 wickets in five innings and got wickets in the middle overs.

9. Kagiso Rabada :

Kagiso Rabada has been the leader of the pack for South Africa for the past few years. There is no team that he hasn't had success with. His accuracy with pace and swing makes him a difficult prospect to handle. Rabada has taken ten wickets in five games, and New Zealand will surely make some plans to avoid giving him wickets.

10. Keshav Maharaj:

Keshav Maharaj was the one who won South Africa game against Pakistan with the bat and hit the winning runs. But he is South Africa's premium spinner and the one who takes wickets in the middle overs. He has taken 7 wickets at an economy rate of 4.90, which is very good for a spinner in this high-scoring tournament.

11. Lungi Ngidi :

Lungi Ngidi is another pacer who has done well so far in this tournament. He has taken seven wickets at an economy rate of 5.17. He bowls at the start, in the middle overs, and also at the end, which gives the team great balance. Ngidi is a wicket-taker who is always among the wickets. He will be up against Kiwi batters, who might look to attack, but it will give him a chance to get wickets.