Ryan Rickelton had a moment to remember in South Africa’s Champions Trophy 2025 opener against Afghanistan, but not quite for the best of reasons. The gifted 28-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman extended his red-hot streak with a magnificent century, becoming the first South African keeper to do so in an ICC Champions Trophy match. But his innings were cut short by a strange run-out that left the Karachi crowd stunned.
Having been in sensational form in all formats, Rickelton went into the tournament with confidence. Off a double hundred in Test cricket and a great SA20 campaign, he transferred his form to ODIs as well, playing fluently and calmly at the crease. His innings against Afghanistan was a reflection of his ability, as he scored his half-century in 48 balls before scoring a well-crafted hundred off 101 balls.
This feat made him only the second South African to achieve a century on his ICC tournament debut, following Gary Kirsten’s legendary 188* vs UAE in the 1996 World Cup. His classy innings was unfortunately cut short in the 36th over in one of the tournament’s unluckiest dismissals.
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Against Rashid Khan, Rickelton walked out to block a delivery back to the bowler. Rashid, as swift as ever, picked up the ball and released a throw to the keeper. In a last-ditch dive to get back to his crease, Rickelton was short as Rahmanullah Gurbaz flicked off the bails with his bat still airborne.
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Disheartened Rickelton trudged off to a standing ovation after a 103 off 106 balls, including seven fours and one six. The game also witnessed South Africa’s return to the Champions Trophy since the humiliating exit in 2017. In their last match, they took on India in a do-or-die group-stage match at The Oval and collapsed under pressure.
Following a promising beginning by Quinton de Kock (53) and Hashim Amla (35), South Africa collapsed from 140/2 to 191 all out, losing eight wickets for 51 runs. Expensive run-outs of AB de Villiers and David Miller, along with patient Indian bowling headed by Jasprit Bumrah (2/28) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2/23), sealed their doom.
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India pursued the target with ease, courtesy of dominating knocks from Shikhar Dhawan (78) and Virat Kohli (76*) as the Proteas never came back after their wickets, succumbing to an eight-wicket loss. Today, in 2025, Rickelton’s heroics begin a new chapter for South Africa as they seek redemption on the global stage.
