A back injury has ruled out South African fast bowler Anrich Nortje from the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025.
Nature of the injury was revealed after a scan on Monday, which showed he would not be able to recover before the Proteas’ opening match against Afghanistan. Which will be played on 21 February in Karachi, Pakistan.
This is another setback for Anrich Nortje who had earlier missed the 2023 World Cup in India due to a stress fracture in his back. The 31-year-old Anrich Nortje has taken 36 wickets in 22 ODIs and 53 wickets in 42 T20Is, reflecting his importance in South Africa’s fast bowling sector in the white-ball format. His last appearance was 15 months ago against Australia in Bloemfontein.
South Africa have retained 10 players who reached the semi-finals of the 2023 Cricket World Cup in their 15-man squad for the Champions Trophy. Despite Nortje’s absence, the Proteas are aiming for a strong performance in the tournament, and their first match will be against Afghanistan on February 21 in Karachi. His replacement is expected to be announced soon.
Nortje’s absence is a big loss for South Africa’s bowling line-up, especially in an important tournament like the Champions Trophy. The team management hopes that their replacement will be able to fill the space and make a positive impact on the team’s performance.
