Aiden Markram Injury: South Africa Call Up George Linde as Cover for Champions Trophy Semi-Final

South Africa called up George Linde as a travelling reserve at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The all-rounder will join the squad as a cover for injured Aiden Markram, who is set to go under a fitness test on Tuesday evening, where the final decision on his availability for the highly anticipated semi-final clash against New Zealand will be taken. 

Right-handed middle-order batter Markram recently injured his right hamstring in the field against England in the last league game of South Africa. This is a major concern for Proteans, as Markram is a key player for the team in the middle order.

South Africa Call Up George Linde as Cover for Aiden Markram ahead of Champions Trophy Semi-Final

George Linde will join the South African squad on Tuesday evening as a traveling reserve. If Aiden Markram fails the fitness test, Linde is likely to replace him in the squad officially after the ICC’s event technical committee permission. 

33-year-old George Linde has played two ODIs for South Africa, scoring 27 runs and taking 3 wickets. He had an amazing SA20 2025 season for MI Cape Town where he scored 161 runs with 153.33 strike rate and took 11 wickets in 11 matches. He can be the great replacement for Markram, who brings multiple skills on the field. 

Injuries have been a major issue for South Africa in this tournament. Now Markram joins the long list of injured players: Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Anrich Nortje, and Lizard Williams.

South Africa is gearing up for the New Zealand challenge in 2nd semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

South Africa vs New Zealand, the 2nd semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, is set to be played on March 5 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. Fans can look forward to a close encounter as both sides feature solid squads, including match winners like Tom Latham, Heinrich Klaasen, Ryan Rickelton, Kane Williamson, Kagiso Rabada, and Matt Henry.