South Africa Captures First WTC Championship Title at Lord’s in June 2025
On a day that will be immortalized in cricketing history, South Africa secured their inaugural ICC World Test Championship (WTC) title when they ascended to the top of the cricketing world at Lord’s in June 2025. After years of near-misses and anguish, the Proteas shook off the burden and delivered the proudest moment in their nations history when they faced off against the defending champion Australia for the final.
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The Road to the Final at Lord’s: Grit, Guts, and Resilience
South Africa’s road to the WTC final was a doctoral dissertation on resilience. At the start of the final year of the WTC, South Africa was on the struggle bus stationed next to the bottom of the WTC point’s table. Their resurgence during the year was remarkable, winning their last 7 Tests prior to the final. As a result, they surpassed some more fancied exponents to reach the showpiece final.
Australia boxed a firm favourite position going into Lord’s. They were first in the leadership; had been the 2023 holders of the WTC title, and had the mental edge that a recent world title engenders, to boot. However, as cricket has shown time and again, finals do not always follow the shape of form.
The Match: Theatre and Drama at Each Curve
Day 1: South Africa won the toss, and Temba Bavuma immediately opted to field first. Bavuma recognised that he could trust his bowlers to make early inroads on an overcast day. Rabada was relentless and destructive; he made the breakthrough claiming five wickets and reduced Australia to 212, with Steve Smith and Beau Webster the only two batters that could withstand the storm.
First Innings South Africa: The Proteas suffered a collapse.Starc took down the middle and lower order departing with South Africa being bowled out for 138 after losing their last six wickets for only 44 runs. Australia, carrying a lead of 74 runs looked in command.
Australia’s 2nd Innings: When Australia came out to bat again, Ngidi and Rabada had the game still leaning precariously in the balance, tumbling through the top order, until an invaluable lower-order partnership between Alex Carey and Mitchell Starc managed to get Australia up to 207 and a challenging 282-run target, a score which is rarely chased at Lord’s in a final innings.
South Africa’s Historic Chase: Odium turned to joy as all eyes were on Aiden Markram as he spectacularly rose to the occasion. Markram played one of the best Test innings, building a sparkling 136. Captain Bavuma battled through pain for a disciplined half-century, and without a doubt Kyle Verreynne, with his calm unflustered style, took the team home with a five-wicket win. It was a chase for the ages, the fifth highest chase in Test cricket for South Africa and their first men’s senior ICC final victory since 1998.
What This Victory Means
Breaking the Jinx: The win cleared the “chokers” tag that had so unfairly burdened South African cricket for decades. From being unable to close out matches due to missed opportunities in 1999, 2015, and 2023, and coming agonisingly close in knockout matches across ICC events, the Proteas would see their redemption journey completed at the home of cricket.A New Beginning: The calm leadership of Temba Bavuma and the artistry of Aiden Markram at the crease mark the beginning of a new era of South African cricket. Rabada taking nine wickets in the match, and him having an average of 18.93 through this WTC cycle demonstrate the potency of attack and the pedigree in test cricket for South Africa.
Celebrated Globally: The cricketing world came together to celebrate South Africa’s achievement, with AB de Villiers, Sachin Tendulkar, Anil Kumble, and Jay Shah noting the “performance for the ages”, while continuing to reference the inspirational nature of the victory for generations to come.
Player of the Match: Aiden Markram (SA)
- Notable contributions:
- Kagiso Rabada (9 wickets in match)
- Temba Bavuma (106 runs over the 2 innings)
- Aiden Markram (136 runs, decisive 4th innings)
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