The South African Cricket Association has confirmed that fast bowler Anrich Nortje will miss the upcoming 2025 ICC Champions Trophy due to a back injury. A vital part of South Africa’s pace attack, Nortje underwent a scan earlier this week, which revealed the seriousness of his condition. Although he was initially named in the squad, a medical assessment concluded that Nortje would not recover in time to participate in the tournament.
South Africa is set to kick off their Champions Trophy campaign against Afghanistan on February 21 in Karachi. Cricket Exchange highlighted that despite early optimism, the fast bowler’s setback has forced the team to reconsider their pace options. “Anrich Nortje, representing Pretoria Capitals, has been ruled out of the remaining Betway SA20 matches as well as the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy due to a back injury,” the South African Cricket Association said in a statement. “The 31-year-old initially made the Champions Trophy squad but a scan on Monday afternoon confirmed the extent of his injury.”
The statement added, “He is not expected to recover in time for the 50-over tournament. South Africa’s campaign will commence on February 21 against Afghanistan in Karachi. A replacement for Nortje will be announced in due course.” According to Cricket Exchange, fans are already speculating who might fill his crucial shoes as South Africa gears up for a tightly packed schedule.
Nortje has not appeared in any competitive match since the T20 World Cup final in June 2024, with his last outing taking place during the Abu Dhabi T10 League on December 2. His recurring fitness troubles have hindered his ability to maintain a presence in top-tier cricket, becoming a thorn in his side time and again. Opting out of South Africa’s 2024/2025 Test cricket season to focus solely on white-ball formats and franchise leagues, Nortje’s decision underscores the toll the sport has taken on his body.
This recent injury continues a streak of bad luck for Nortje, who notably missed both the 2019 and 2023 Cricket ODI World Cups. Despite being pegged as a potential game-changer for the Champions Trophy, fate once again threw a wrench into his plans, a classic case of “when it rains, it pours” for the fast bowler.
While his absence is a setback, Gerald Coetzee is widely expected to be named as his replacement. Coetzee impressed during the 2023 World Cup but narrowly missed out on selection this time around, with selectors favoring Nortje’s pace and international experience. South Africa’s head coach, Rob Walter, had previously highlighted the unique strengths of both bowlers, praising Nortje’s lightning speed as a key asset.
Nortje’s recovery timeline remains uncertain, casting doubt over his participation in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season, where he was slated to play for the Kolkata Knight Riders. With one of their leading pacers sidelined, South Africa now faces the daunting task of regrouping and fine-tuning their strategies in a bid to make a serious run for the title.