South Africa have finally done it. After 27 years, the Proteas have lifted an ICC trophy, ending decades of heartbreak and shedding the “chokers” tag. In a thrilling finale to the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25, South Africa defeated Australia by 5 wickets at the historic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London.
This is South Africa’s first ICC title since the 1998 Champions Trophy. Despite reaching the knockouts multiple times, they always fell short. But on June 14, 2025, history changed.
Match Summary: Markram, Bavuma Lead the Way
Chasing a target of 282 runs in the fourth innings, South Africa showed great determination. On Day 4 morning, they reached 285/5, securing a comfortable yet hard-fought 5-wicket win.
The star of the match was Aiden Markram, who played a brilliant innings of 136 runs off 207 balls. Interestingly, he had scored 0 in the first innings. His gritty century was the backbone of the chase.
Captain Temba Bavuma also played a crucial knock of 66 runs, giving his team the stability it needed. Although he got out early on Day 4, he laid the foundation for the win. In the end, David Bedingham and Kyle Verreynne calmly guided South Africa to the finish line.
Australian Stars Who Failed in the Final
Australia were aiming for back-to-back WTC titles, but several key players disappointed when it mattered most:
1. Usman Khawaja
The experienced opener was a major flop. He got out for 0 in the first innings after facing 20 balls and managed just 6 runs in the second innings. His poor performance put pressure on the team early in both innings.
2. Josh Hazlewood
Much was expected from Hazlewood, but he failed to deliver. He took just 1 wicket in each innings, both at moments when the game had already slipped away.
3. Cameron Green
Returning after a long break, Green was promoted to number 3. But he lasted just 5 balls across two innings, getting out both times in the same over as Khawaja.
4. Nathan Lyon
Arguably the biggest disappointment, Lyon failed to take a single wicket in the entire match. Despite helpful conditions on Day 4, he bowled 26 overs in the fourth innings without success.
5. Travis Head
The hero of the 2023 WTC and World Cup finals failed this time. He scored just 11 in the first innings and 9 in the second, unable to make any impact.
Historic Run Chase at Lord’s
South Africa’s chase of 282 runs is now the second-highest successful run chase in Test history at Lord’s. Before this, only four teams had chased more than 200 runs here.
The highest successful chase at Lord’s is 342 by West Indies in 1984 against England. England’s 282 vs New Zealand in 2004 was the second-highest—until now.
A New Era for South Africa
This win marks a new chapter in South African cricket. No longer burdened by the “chokers” tag, the team has proven it can hold its nerve under pressure. With rising stars like Markram and solid leadership from Bavuma, the future looks bright for the Proteas.
As for Australia, their dream of consecutive WTC titles ends in heartbreak. But for South Africa, this is a moment of redemption, celebration, and pride.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Cricket match results are subject to change. For final stats, refer to official ICC sources.
