London, June 2025 — In a match that will be remembered as one of the most significant chapters in cricket history, South Africa ended their 27-year wait for an ICC title with a stunning victory over Australia in the ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground. The Proteas clinched a nail-biting win by successfully chasing down 282 runs in the fourth innings, powered by a magnificent 136-run masterclass from Aiden Markram and a gritty 66 from skipper Temba Bavuma.
The victory marked South Africa’s first ICC trophy since the 1998 ICC KnockOut, ending decades of heartbreak and near-misses. The triumph was made even sweeter as it came against a formidable Australian side featuring their legendary pace trio—Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood—who, for the first time, experienced defeat in a major ICC final.
Tactical Toss Call and Early Advantage
Winning the toss, Bavuma made a brave decision to bowl first on a fresh Lord’s surface with just a hint of moisture and cloud cover. The Proteas’ bowling attack, led by Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi, exploited the conditions expertly. Australia was bundled out for just 212 runs in their first innings, with only Steve Smith offering resistance with a gritty half-century. Rabada claimed four wickets, while left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj took two crucial scalps late in the innings.
However, South Africa’s reply was far from ideal. Despite a promising start, their batting lineup crumbled under relentless Australian pressure. Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins led a fiery pace attack, and the Proteas were dismissed for 138. Only David Bedingham showed glimpses of form with a quick 45, but the deficit of 74 runs loomed large.
Second Innings Fightback: Australia Stumbles Again
In their second innings, Australia had the chance to put the match beyond South Africa’s reach. But the Proteas bowlers had other ideas. They bowled with fire and discipline, maintaining relentless pressure. Despite Mitchell Starc 58, Australia was restricted to 207, setting South Africa a target of 282—a total that looked challenging given the match context and the pitch behavior on Day 4.
Rabada and Ngidi once again rose to the occasion, taking timely wickets and never allowing the Australian batsmen to settle. The fielding, led by sharp catches from Bavuma and Verreynne, was top-notch and kept the energy high in the South African camp.
Markram and Bavuma Script a Historic Chase
Chasing 282 in a high-stakes final at Lord’s against Australia’s world-class bowling attack was no easy task. Early wickets of Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder put South Africa under pressure at 70/2. But what followed was a memorable partnership that will go down in cricketing folklore.
Aiden Markram, playing one of the greatest innings of his career, combined patience with stroke play to craft a sensational 136. Skipper Temba Bavuma supported him brilliantly with a composed 66, and together they stitched a vital 147-run stand that turned the match on its head. Both batsmen displayed supreme temperament, weathering the storm and slowly dismantling the Australian bowling unit.
Even when Pat Cummins broke the partnership with Bavuma’s wicket, Markram held firm and guided South Africa to the brink of victory. He fell with just 12 runs remaining, receiving a standing ovation from the Lord’s crowd—among them, South African legends AB de Villiers and Graeme Smith, both visibly emotional.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Kyle Verreynne and David Bedingham completed the chase in the final session of Day 4, sparking wild celebrations among players and fans alike.
End of an Era for Australia’s Final Dominance
This loss marked the first time that Australia’s fearsome fast bowling trio of Cummins, Starc, and Hazlewood tasted defeat in an ICC final. Their dominance in past tournaments had been unmatched, but on this occasion, they were outplayed in the moments that mattered most.
While Starc and Cummins bowled with menace and heart, it was South Africa’s resilience, determination, and tactical discipline that prevailed. Nathan Lyon, often Australia’s trump card in fourth-innings scenarios, was neutralized by clever footwork and defensive strategy from the South African batters.
A New Era Begins for South African Cricket
For South Africa, this win was more than just a trophy—it was a statement. Years of criticism, semi-final heartbreaks, and tournament chokes were washed away in one glorious moment at Lord’s. The leadership of Temba Bavuma, once questioned, was now hailed as visionary. The maturity of Aiden Markram, the fire of Rabada and Ngidi, and the composure of young talents like Jansen point towards a bright future for South African cricket.
Coach Shukri Conrad, who took over during a transitional period, deserves credit for instilling belief and tactical clarity in the squad. This triumph will inspire future generations, and it reaffirms South Africa’s position as a powerhouse in world cricket.
Final Words
June 2025 will forever be etched in the annals of South African cricket. At the “Home of Cricket,” the Proteas not only won a title—they healed a nation’s sporting wounds. It was fitting that legends like AB de Villiers and Graeme Smith were present to witness the changing of the guard, as a new generation of South African heroes stepped into greatness.
From the heartbreaks of the past to the glory at Lord’s, this was a victory for patience, perseverance, and passion. South Africa, after 27 long years, are once again ICC champions.
