Heinrich Klaasen in action at the Champions Trophy Heinrich Klaasen in action at the Champions Trophy

South Africa hold a physical edge over Champions Trophy semi-final opponents New Zealand despite travelling to Dubai and back between matches, believes Heinrich Klaasen. (More Sports News)

The Proteas won two of their three matches – with their meeting with Australia being rained off – to top Group B at the 50-over tournament in Pakistan.

But having clinched their spot in the semi-finals, South Africa did not discover whether they would face New Zealand or India – who are playing their matches in Dubai due to political tensions with Pakistan – until play in Group A concluded on Sunday.

That meant they, along with Australia, left Pakistan in case they were required to play in the United Arab Emirates.

As it was, India topped Group A to tee up Tuesday's clash with Australia, freeing South Africa to return to Lahore and prepare to face the Black Caps on Wednesday.

But Klaasen says they will not use that 18-hour layover as an excuse if they fall short, saying: "We knew that there was a big possibility that we might have to fly up and down.

"It's not ideal for the bodies. We knew it was going to happen and it's part of the scheduling so two teams had to do it, and unfortunately, we were one of them."

Klaasen actually believes South Africa have been less affected by the tournament's schedule than New Zealand, having only played two games – both in Karachi.

Marco Jansen and South Africa aren’t complicating things for the #ChampionsTrophy semi-finals More https://t.co/8DTfGxaWfp pic.twitter.com/5cig1FBFKz

— ICC (@ICC) March 3, 2025

The Black Caps,66jogo by contrast, beat Pakistan in Karachi and Bangladesh in Rawalpindi, which is a two-hour flight away in the north of the country, before facing India in Dubai.

"We haven't really travelled a lot in this competition. It was obviously just a crazy 18 hours. They played a game and they had to travel six hours after the game," Klaasen said.

"We at least had that off time, and we could stretch our legs and recover as well before we had to come back. 

"I think our bodies will be in a better position than their bodies but it's part of professional cricket at this moment. 

"You just have to suck it up and go back and see if you can recover well and just get the job done at the end of the day."

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South Africa have lost their last four Champions Trophy semi-finals since winning the inaugural edition in 1998, but with 11 victories in their last 14 matches at ICC ODI events (three losses), Klaasen feels the Proteas are ready.

"The nerves are a little bit less because we have a little bit more experience in the semi-final department now. We're playing good cricket," Klaasen said. 

BY Outlook Sports Desk

"Since I've been around from 2018, we have played some incredible cricket. We just had some bad luck here and there and one or two games that didn't go our way, but we've been playing good cricket. 

"It's the rewards that we're seeing. The boys are holding a little bit more composure in the bigger moments. Hopefully1937bet, we can get into another final. We've got the experience now."