South Africa Create History, Beat Australia to Win ICC World Test Championship 2025
In a monumental triumph at Lord’s, the South African men’s cricket team secured their first-ever ICC World Test Championship title, defeating reigning champions Australia by five wickets. This victory marks South Africa’s first senior ICC title since 1998, ending a long drought and silencing critics with a clinical performance on the grandest stage.
Rabada’s Roar: 9 Wickets & Defiant Words
The star of the match was undoubtedly Kagiso Rabada, who delivered a masterclass in pace bowling by claiming 9 wickets across both innings. Speaking post-match, an emotional Rabada said:
“I can’t describe in words how I feel at this moment. Extremely happy. We played well throughout the season. We deserved to reach this position.”
Addressing criticism that South Africa didn’t face top-tier opposition during the WTC cycle, Rabada hit back:
“There were people saying we didn’t play good enough opposition, but I think that’s rubbish. Australia are a really strong team, and we had to be at our best to beat them.”
Home-Like Support at Lord’s
Despite the match being held at a neutral venue, South African fans turned up in full force, giving their team the edge. Rabada acknowledged the crowd:
“The last four days felt like a home game. Thank you for turning up and keep turning up.”
Match Summary: South Africa vs Australia – WTC Final 2025
- Venue: Lord’s, London
- Result: South Africa won by 5 wickets
- Man of the Match: Kagiso Rabada (9 wickets in the match)
- Chasing 282, South Africa clinched the win on Day 4
Markram & Bavuma: Partnership of Grit
Chasing a challenging target of 282, the turning point came in the form of a 147-run partnership between Aiden Markram and captain Temba Bavuma. Markram scored a sublime century, while Bavuma, fighting a hamstring injury, showed immense resilience with a gritty 66.
South Africa’s head coach Shukri Conrad praised the duo and reflected on the game:
“We got the best of the batting conditions. When our two senior pros put that stand together, that’s where the game was won.”
On Bavuma’s injury, Conrad added:
“I was the one to say Temba shouldn’t keep going, but the partnership was critical; it didn’t matter what the flow was. They know better than the coaches anyway.”
Wickets Tumbled Early, Calm Followed
The match had a dramatic start with 28 wickets falling in the first two days, a rare sight at Lord’s. But only four wickets fell on Day 3, which turned out to be ideal for batting — a period South Africa capitalized on fully.
Historic Win for South Africa
This victory ends a 27-year ICC trophy drought for South Africa. Their last global title was the 1998 ICC KnockOut Trophy, where they defeated the West Indies. The win is not just a feather in the cap for the current generation but also an emotional closure for a nation long haunted by the “chokers” tag in global tournaments.
Australia’s Final Woes Continue
While Australia remains one of the most dominant sides in Test cricket, this marks the fourth time an Australian men’s team has lost an ICC final. Their previous loss in a title match was at the 2010 T20 World Cup, adding to a list of near-misses despite a glittering trophy cabinet.
What’s Next for South Africa?
With this historic WTC win, South African cricket stands at a new dawn. With a solid mix of youth and experience, and belief firmly restored, the Proteas will now look to carry this momentum into the 2026 T20 World Cup and beyond.
For now, this moment belongs to Rabada, Markram, Bavuma, and the entire squad who turned years of heartbreak into glory at Lord’s — cricket’s most iconic stage.
