Gerald Coetzee Ruled Out Of ICC Champions Trophy 2025 For South Africa

Gerald Coetzee of South Africa has been ruled out of the upcoming ODI tri-series involving Pakistan and New Zealand and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 that follows.

South Africa is scheduled to go to Pakistan for a four-match tri-nation ODI series, but the team has already suffered a major setback before the series begins on February 8.

The Proteas have already lost their premier pacer, Anrich Nortje, and are now dealing with another major setback in the form of fast bowler Gerald Coetzee, only weeks before the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which begins on February 19 in Pakistan.

Gerald Coetzee ruled out of the tri-nation ODI series and ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Coetzee will miss the forthcoming Tri-nation ODI series and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 owing to a groin issue. Cricket South Africa (CSA) stated on Thursday, February 6, that Coetzee reported groin stiffness while bowling at Pretoria's Centre of Excellence during a training session on Wednesday (February 5).

However, the South African fast bowler had finished his ten overs. Following a medical evaluation, the CSA and team management determined that playing in 50-over contests would raise Coetzee's risk of major injury, ruling him out of future assignments.

CSA release an official statement on Coetzee

“Gerald Coetzee experienced tightness in his groin while completing his 10 overs at training at the Centre of Excellence in Pretoria. Following further assessment by the Proteas medical team, it was determined that the symptoms posed an increased risk of significant injury at a higher bowling load required for the upcoming 50-over matches,” CSA released read.

Coetzee was slated to replace the injured Anrich Nortje in the forthcoming Champions Trophy 2025.

Injury woes for Gerald Coetzee continues

However, his new injury has shattered his aspirations, as Corbin Bosch and Lutho Sipamla are the front-runners to replace him in South Africa's squad for the forthcoming competition.

The latest setback comes just after Coetzee recovered from a left hamstring issue that held him out of the majority of the SA20 2025 when he appeared in only one game for the Joburg Super Kings (JSK). He also missed a Test against Sri Lanka and a series against Pakistan owing to past groin problems.

Earlier, South Africa's white-ball coach, Rob Walter, named a 12-man squad for the first match of the ODI tri-series against New Zealand on February 10 in Lahore. Gerald Coetzee was picked to the team despite recent injury worries, along with six uncapped players.

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