On a radiant Saturday afternoon at Lord’s, the iconic venue witnessed history. After 27 years of heartbreak and near-misses, South Africa finally broke through the shackles of global ICC disappointment by clinching their maiden World Test Championship (WTC) title in 2025, defeating Australia by five wickets in a riveting final.
The moment wasn’t just monumental for the men’s side—it carried deep resonance across the spectrum of South African cricket, especially with its women’s team, who have similarly knocked on the doors of glory for decades.
It was a day drenched in sunshine and significance as Aiden Markram carved his name into folklore with a stunning 136—an innings that may well be considered the most vital in South Africa’s Test history.
Skipper Temba Bavuma, battling through a hamstring injury that had the support staff contemplating retiring him hurt, refused to quit. Instead, he stood tall and gritty, scoring a total of 102 runs across both innings and forging a match-defining 147-run stand with Markram in the final chase of 282. As Kyle Verreynne stroked the winning runs through the covers, it wasn’t just a celebration—it was a release. Years of pain and unrealized promise had finally been set free.
This triumph rewrites South Africa’s cricketing narrative. No longer is the 1998 ICC KnockOut—an event often footnoted with caveats—the only feather in their international cap. After decades of being haunted by collapses and semi-final exits, the Proteas finally have a crown that is theirs unequivocally. The underdog storyline found its perfect script, not only uplifting a nation but also revitalizing belief in Test cricket’s charm outside the traditional powerhouses—the Big Three.
Australia, dominant for much of the modern era, were left stunned. Holding a 74-run first innings lead that swelled beyond 100, they looked set to dictate terms. But a sudden collapse to 73 for 7 on the second evening turned the tide. The tail offered resistance, and the bowlers fought with fire, but the Proteas, this time, refused to crumble.
Starting Day 4 at 213 for 2, just 69 runs from victory with eight wickets intact, might have suggested a smooth sail. Yet, nothing comes easy when history is this loaded. The very first run of the day, pushed into the covers by Bavuma, was met with roaring cheers from a predominantly South African crowd that had poured into Lord’s to will their team across the line.
Though Bavuma fell short of being there at the end, edging a lifter from Pat Cummins, his resolve had already set the stage. Markram, despite some nervy moments, kept the scoreboard ticking with authoritative boundaries, including a piercing square drive and a composed pull off Cummins.
Australia didn’t back down. Mitchell Starc, continuing a stellar match, dismissed Tristan Stubbs when 41 runs were still required—a moment that must’ve felt like 141 to those wearing green and gold. Australia, in their desperation, squandered all three reviews. Ironically, with scores level, Verreynne gloved a scoop off Starc—an edge missed by both umpire and technology, symbolizing perhaps that fortune had finally swung South Africa’s way.
An elegant on-drive by David Bedingham off Cummins narrowed the target to under 20. The Lord’s crowd, charged with anticipation, surged into chants as the Proteas edged closer. Even the new ball couldn’t shift the mood—Josh Hazlewood’s first two deliveries were dispatched with calm assurance.
When Markram, aiming another shot to the leg side, was caught at midwicket, it did little to dent the moment. As he walked off, Australians came up to shake his hand. They knew—South Africa had not just won; they had earned it.
While the men basked in the glory, the ripple of their triumph was felt powerfully within South Africa’s women’s cricketing fraternity. Over the years, the Proteas Women have marched repeatedly to the cusp of greatness—semi-finalists in the ICC Women’s ODI World Cups in 2000, 2017, and 2022, and reaching their first finals in ICC Women’s T20 World Cups in 2023 and 2024. But the title remained elusive.
As the men lifted the WTC Mace, it was also a symbolic lift for the entire South African cricketing family. A collective exhale. A sign that the wait may be over—not just for the men, but perhaps soon, for the women too. This wasn’t just a win. It was a statement. A redemption. A beginning.
On Saturday, many cricketers turned to “X” (formerly Twitter) and Instagram to share in the joy of South Africa’s win especially the South Africa’s women team. Their celebrations weren’t just patriotic—they were personal. They saw themselves in this moment. The shared heartbreaks, the long flights home with dreams deferred, the etched scars of missed finals—all felt lighter now.
