The South Africans finally snatched the World Test Championship mace from Australia’s grip inside four days of a riveting World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord’s. South Africa wore a new label - ‘champion’ - by claiming their first major cricket trophy in 27 years when they wrapped up a five-wicket win.
The last 69 runs required on Day Four were confidently knocked off by the Proteas in just over two hours - they hit only three boundaries - with Australia typically fighting all the way to the inevitable end. South Africa moved from a portentous 213-2 overnight to a winning 285-5, the second-highest successful run chase in the 141-year Test history at the home of cricket.
Victory laid to rest ghosts of heartbreaking losses on big ICC stages that have haunted South Africa for decades. The venues and dates are infamous in South Africa cricket, among them Birmingham 1999, Dhaka 2011, Auckland 2015, Kolkata 2023 and Bridgetown 2024.
But London 2025 will go down as one of the greatest days in South African sports. “While we were batting, we could hear the Aussies using that dreaded word, ‘choke’,” Proteas captain Temba Bavuma said. “It’s been years since we’ve overcome a final. We’ve been etched in history. Also, it’s a chance for South Africa to be united. We’ve got a cause where we can put aside our differences and enjoy.”
The stunning result also bodes well for South Africa’s preparations for their home ODI World Cup in 2027. It’s a different format, but their mindsets won’t be burdened by not having won a global trophy since the Champions Trophy’s precursor in 1998.
Serial champions Australia lost an ICC final for only a fourth time in 14 chances. “They were fantastic in that fourth innings,” Australia captain Pat Cummins said. “There wasn’t a lot in the wicket but they didn’t give us a chance.”
