Major Blow To South Africa As Gerald Coetzee Ruled Out Of 2025 Champions Trophy
In a major blow to South Africa, fast-bowler Gerald Coetzee has been ruled out of the 2025 Champions Trophy due to groin tightness.
In a major blow to South Africa, fast-bowler Gerald Coetzee has been ruled out of contention for the 2025 Champions Trophy. He was expected to replace senior quick Anrich Nortje, who picked up a back issue earlier. However, he experienced tightness in his groin while bowling at South Africa’s Centre of Excellence in Pretoria on Wednesday (February 5) which will sideline him from competitive cricket for the near future.
Coetzee was earlier ruled out of the ongoing SA20 due to a hamstring injury but was expected to be ready for the Champions Trophy, which begins on February 19. He was even included in South Africa’s squad for the first match of an upcoming tri-series involving Pakistan and New Zealand. However, now, it seems he’ll be out of action for a while and might only be able to return closer to the IPL where he’s in the Gujarat Titans squad.
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“Proteas fast bowler Gerald Coetzee has been ruled out of the upcoming tri-nation One-Day International (ODI) series against Pakistan and New Zealand," Cricket South Africa (CSA) said in a release on Wednesday. “The 24-year-old experienced tightness in his groin while completing his 10 overs at training on Wednesday morning at the Centre of Excellence in Pretoria."
“Following further assessment by the Proteas medical team, it was determined that the symptoms posed an increased risk of significant injury at a higher bowling load required for the upcoming 50-over matches. A replacement will be announced in due course. Coetzee will not be considered for selection for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025."
In Nortje and Coetzee’s absence, Corbin Bosch and Lutho Sipamla are being seen as the frontrunners to join South Africa’s Champions Trophy squad. Bosch is yet to make his international debut for South Africa but has impressed in the SA20, picking nine wickets in his last four matches. Sipamla, meanwhile, has played five ODIs and 11 T20Is and for two and six wickets respectively.
Bosch will also be present for the ODI against New Zealand alongside many other promising uncapped players like Gideon Peters. It’s the Proteas’ last bilateral series before the Champions Trophy.
South Africa squad for Champions Trophy: Temba Bavuma (captain), Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje (to be replaced), Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen.
Teams can announce changes to their Champions Trophy squad by February 12.
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