Rickelton Leads South Africa to Victory in Champions Trophy

Ryan Rickelton's maiden ODI century of 103 off 106 balls was pivotal in South Africa's 107-run victory over Afghanistan in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. With contributions from Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen, and Aiden Markram, South Africa posted a daunting 315/6 on the board. Despite Rahmat Shah's valiant 90, Afghanistan could only muster 208, as Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, and Wiaan Mulder dismantled their batting lineup. Rickelton, who replaced the injured Heinrich Klaasen, demonstrated his prowess against both pace and spin, showcasing maturity and skill in his innings. The victory not only gave South Africa a strong start in the tournament but also a significant boost in Net Run Rate, placing them alongside New Zealand and India, who also won their opening matches. Rickelton's performance drew comparisons to former South African opener Quinton de Kock, earning praise from fans and analysts alike.