Inaugural ICC Champions Trophy winners South Africa started the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 tournament with a thumping win against the tournament debutant Afghanistan in the first match of Group B. 

South African captain Temba Bavuma chose to bat first at the National Stadium in Karachi, while Heinrich Klaasen was absent from the team due to precaution after an injury. South Africa scored 315/6 in 50 overs, while Afghanistan were all out for 208 runs, as the Proteas won by 107 runs.

Ryan Rickelton's first ODI century inspired three more 50s in South African innings

South Africa had a cautious start, and after the first powerplay, they mostly maintained the run rate of five per over. Opener Ryan Rickelton scored his maiden ODI century as the left-handed batter became the first South African wicketkeeper-batter to record a century in the ICC Champions Trophy. Before his freak run-out as bowler Rashid Khan's quick throw to the striker-end finished the opener's innings on 103 off 106 balls with seven fours and one six. 

Meanwhile, captain Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen, and Aiden Markram scored crucial 50s to move the total to big challenging. Bavuma scored 58 off 76 balls (five fours), Van der Dussen scored 52 off 46 balls (three fours and two sixes), and Markram scored 52 not out off 36 balls (six fours and one six).

Among the Afghan bowlers, Mohammad Nabi took two wickets (2/51), while Fazalhaq Farooqi (1/59), Azmatullah Omarzai (1/39), and Noor Ahmed (1/65) got one wicket each. 

Only Rahmat Shah was the shining part in chasing

In reply, Afghanistan failed to provide a fight back to the challenging target on the tricky pitch. Apart from Rahmat Shah, who scored a fighting 90 off 92 balls with nine fours and one six and saved the team from a more embarrassing defeat, six other Afghan batters scored double-digit runs but all of them failed to reach the 20-run mark.  

South African bowlers Kagiso Rabada (3/36), Wiaan Mulder (2/36), and Lungi Ngidi (2/56) managed to pick up more than one wicket, while Marco Jansen (1/32) and Keshav Maharaj (1/46) also got one wicket each. For his impressive batting performance, Proteas opener Ryan Rickelton won the Player of the Match award.