At long last, the Proteas have broken their drought — lifting the ICC World Test Championship trophy after a thrilling five-wicket win over Australia. After decades of near misses and heartbreak, South Africa has finally secured its place at the top of world cricket in the game’s most traditional format.
HISTORY MADE — AND HANDSOMELY REWARDED
Their incredible victory didn’t just bring pride and gold medals — it also delivered a historic payday.
According to the ICC, the Proteas will take home a staggering $3.6 million (roughly R65 million) in prize money — the largest sum ever awarded for a Test cricket final. This massive reward doubles what previous champions Australia (2023) and New Zealand (2021) earned for their triumphs.
FROM ‘CHOKERS’ TO CHAMPIONS
For years, South Africa’s cricket team carried the heavy label of being “chokers” — a term haunting them since their last major ICC win in 1998. Tournament after tournament, they’d arrive as favourites only to fall short when it mattered most.
But on Saturday, 14 June, that narrative changed forever.
Needing 283 runs to claim the championship, Temba Bavuma rose to the occasion with a captain’s knock of 66, while Aiden Markram etched his name into South African cricket folklore with a stunning 136 in the second innings.
The underdogs triumphed in the purest form of the game, defeating a dominant Australian side and silencing decades of doubt. No flukes. No excuses. Just belief, brilliance, and history made.
