London: South Africa scripted history at Lord’s by clinching their first-ever ICC World Test Championship (WTC) title, defeating Australia by five wickets in a gripping final. Aiden Markram’s sublime 136 and Temba Bavuma’s gritty 66 powered South Africa to a successful chase of 282, marking a monumental moment in their cricketing journey.

The match concluded late on the fourth day of the final, which began on June 11. South Africa reached 282/5 in their second innings, sealing the victory after overcoming early pressure and a first-innings deficit. The win also ended South Africa’s long wait for a major ICC trophy, coming 27 years after their 1998 ICC KnockOut triumph.

A final to remember

Australia, the defending WTC champions, entered the final as favourites, having dominated much of the 2023–2025 Test cycle. The early stages of the final saw both teams grappling for control, with bowlers enjoying lively conditions at the iconic venue.

Put in to bat first, Australia were bowled out for 212. Kagiso Rabada led the attack with figures of 5/51, removing top-order batters and becoming the first South African to claim a five-wicket haul in a WTC final. Alex Carey’s 72 and Steven Smith’s 66 offered some resistance, but the rest of the lineup failed to capitalise.

In response, South Africa collapsed to 138 all out. Pat Cummins delivered a fiery spell, taking 6/28 in 18.1 overs, including his 300th Test wicket. Kyle Verreynne (45) and Temba Bavuma (36) were the only ones who held firm, but the team trailed by 74 runs at the halfway stage.

Australia’s second innings stumble

Australia again faltered in their second innings, reduced to 73/7 before a late rescue act. Mitchell Starc (58) and Pat Cummins (43) added crucial lower-order runs, taking the total to 207. Rabada struck again with 4/59, while Lungi Ngidi picked up 3/38. The target for South Africa was set at 282.

Markram, Bavuma anchor chase

The final innings belonged to South Africa. Markram’s innings was a masterclass in patience and timing. The opener stood tall for over five hours, crafting his century and building a match-winning 143-run partnership with skipper Bavuma. The captain, despite a hamstring concern, batted courageously for his 66.

Though Markram was dismissed with only six runs left to win, Heinrich Klaasen and David Bedingham ensured there were no further hiccups. Klaasen struck the winning boundary, triggering celebrations in the South African camp.

This win is not just a statistical milestone but a turning point for South African cricket. Long labelled as underachievers on the world stage, the Proteas delivered under pressure in one of the sport’s grandest theatres.

Coach Shukri Conrad’s focus on mental resilience paid off, as did Bavuma’s calm leadership. The team’s ability to bounce back after a poor first innings was a testament to their belief and preparation.

For Australia, the defeat ends their WTC reign, despite notable efforts from their senior players. Cummins’ spell in the first innings and Starc’s fighting fifty in the second innings were standout performances. Yet, it was South Africa’s day — a triumph of character, discipline, and unrelenting will.

Result: South Africa won by 5 wickets
Venue: Lord’s, London
Dates: June 11–14, 2025