The Proteas held their nerve and made history at Lord’s, defeating Australia to win the 2025 ICC World Test Championship final on Saturday.
It marked South Africa’s first ICC trophy since 1998 — a long-awaited moment that came with grit, composure, and an unforgettable chase.
SOUTH AFRICA RISES AS WORLD TEST CHAMPIONS
Labelled as underdogs ahead of the final, South Africa stunned the cricketing world with a clinical bowling performance, dismissing Australia for 212 in their first innings and 207 in the second.
Despite a shaky start with just 138 runs in their own first innings, the Proteas came back stronger — chasing down 282 runs in style to claim the crown.
BAVUMA & MARKRAM LEAD THE CHARGE
A crucial second-innings partnership of 147 runs between skipper Temba Bavuma and Aiden Markram laid the foundation for the chase. Although opener Ryan Rickelton fell early, Wiaan Mulder’s brisk 27 shifted momentum in South Africa’s favour.
Bavuma, battling through a hamstring injury, made the most of a dropped catch by Steve Smith to contribute a vital 66. His resilience was matched by Markram’s class, scoring heavily to anchor the innings.
Heading into Day 4 needing just 69 runs with eight wickets in hand, the Proteas remained composed. Despite losing Bavuma, Stubbs, and Markram, David Bedingham kept calm under pressure, finishing unbeaten on 20 to seal a historic win.
