Anrich Nortje ruled out of Champions Trophy 2025 due to back injury

Due to a back ailment, fast bowler Anrich Nortje will not be participating in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which is a significant blow to South Africa’s preparations. Scans revealed the severity of the 31-year-old pacer’s ailment, and he was forced to miss the rest of the SA20 competition.

The most recent defeat is a part of a pattern that has plagued Anrich Nortje career in important competitions.

The pacer suffered a stress fracture of the lower back in 2023, and a fractured thumb prevented him to miss the 2019 World Cup. In the last six ICC competitions, this will be the third time he has missed the Champions Trophy. Despite playing in the T20 World Cups, injuries have plagued his ODI career on multiple occasions.

Prior to this injury, Nortje had been hoping to return to international cricket after a long break. But his intentions were hampered by a back problem when he injured his toe during training. Since March 2023, he has not appeared in a Test match, and his most recent ODI was in September 2023.

Afghanistan will play South Africa in the tournament’s opening match.

On February 21 in Karachi, South Africa, who are in Group B, will play Afghanistan in the Champions Trophy opener.

After recovering from a groin ailment, Gerald Coetzee is the front-runner to succeed Nortje with the Johannesburg Super Kings. Although Coetzee was a candidate for the original team, Nortje had merited the position. A core group of South Africa’s players that advanced to the 2023 World Cup semifinals were kept. Rob Walter, the team’s coach, had been candid about the combination of young skill and experience.

With numerous players who have often excelled under duress, this team has a wealth of expertise. Such experience is really valuable in a competition such as this one,” Walter stated.