South Africa end 27-year title drought with historic win over Australia in WTC Final at Lord’s

Published on Authored by C to I News Desk

South Africa lifted their first major ICC title in 27 years after defeating Australia by five wickets on day four of the 2025 ICC World Test Championship Final at Lord’s on Saturday. In a match that held historic significance for the Proteas, the team chased down a target of 282, finishing at 285 for five in 83.4 overs to secure their maiden WTC title and their first major senior tournament win since the 1998 ICC Knockout, now known as the Champions Trophy.

ICC Test Championship
A jubiliant South African team celebrates as captain Temba Bavuma lift the ICC Test Championship mace. Photo courtesy: x.com/ICC

Resuming day four on 213 for two, South Africa had Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma at the crease. While Markram continued from his overnight century, Bavuma was dismissed early in the day, edging a delivery from Pat Cummins to the wicketkeeper after scoring a patient 66 off 134 balls. Australia tightened their bowling attack, with Nathan Lyon extracting turn and the seamers keeping the scoring rate in check, creating a tense atmosphere at the start of play.

Markram, however, kept his composure and played with confidence, taking boundaries off Cummins to release the pressure. Australia struck again when Mitchell Starc bowled Tristan Stubbs for a low score, breaching the gate and disturbing the leg stump. Despite these setbacks, Markram and David Bedingham batted calmly to guide South Africa towards the target.

Australia used up their final review in desperation, and the signs of pressure began to show. The equation became easier for the Proteas as Bedingham played a stylish on-drive to reduce the deficit to under 20. Markram then played a pair of boundaries off Hazlewood through the mid-wicket region to bring South Africa within touching distance of the win.

Markram, who had earlier led South Africa to the Under-19 World Cup title in 2014, fell just short of finishing the match as he was dismissed for a superb 136. Kyle Verreynne then took over and guided the ball through cover-point for the winning runs, sparking scenes of celebration among the players, coaches, families, and supporters both at the Lord’s Cricket Ground and across South Africa.

The win also marked South Africa’s eighth consecutive Test victory and erased years of disappointment in knockout matches of major international tournaments.

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