Bittersweet end to Rassie van der Dussen’s ICC championship days, as Proteas fail again?

If the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy was indeed Rassie van der Dussen’s last big tournament, the 36-year-old ended on a bittersweet note, losing the semi-final to New Zealand by 50 runs.

The Proteas batsman scored 69 from 66 balls against the Black Caps, making his third consecutive half-century in the tournament. Van der Dussen has been one of the Proteas' most consistent batters, putting up 72 from 87 balls against England and 52 from 46 against Afghanistan. He showed no signs of losing his edge during the tournament, despite conceding that it might be his final ICC tournament.

From a batting perspective, only Van der Dussen (69), Temba Bavuma (56 from 71), and David Miller (100*), made significant contributions to the Proteas' total in the loss to the Black Caps. The pressure of chasing New Zealand's mammoth target of 363 in another big semi-final proved too much for the remaining Proteas batters.

“I think it's definitely a possibility that this is my last ICC tournament. I’m not saying that with any preconceived idea that I’ll call time on it or that management will call time on my career," Van der Dussen said.

"I think it's such a great thing that there are so many young players coming through. Guys are really playing well. So, there are so many good players, and I’m not blind to the possibility that if I don’t perform, someone will be there to take my place.”

Van der Dussen's performance in the Champions Trophy, however, highlights the need for steady nerves in the Proteas team — nerves that will be lacking even more if this was indeed his last international tournament. South Africa does not have a shortage of cricketing talent, but what seems to be missing is championship-winning material.

Evidence suggests that David Miller is one of the few, if not the only, cricketers in the country capable of absorbing the pressure of big moments and delivering time-after-time. However, Miller is 35-years-old and likely nearing the end of his career as well. 

Coach Rob Walter attributed Wednesday's the loss to several factors, particularly the way the team handled the last 10 overs of New Zealand’s batting innings. The Proteas conceded 100 runs in the final ten overs, compounding the pressure on their batters.

The partnership between Kane Williamson (102 from 94) and Rachin Ravindra (108 from 101) proved problematic for the Proteas bowlers during the middle and latter stages of the innings. Kagiso Rabada finally broke the partnership in the 34th over, but by then, the damage had been done.

Rabada finished with figures of 2 for 10 from 10 overs, while Lungi Ngidi was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 72 from 10. What lies ahead for this Proteas squad remains uncertain, but what is clear is their urgent need to perform under pressure in big games — otherwise, they may never win ICC silverware again.