LONDON (SNP Report): South Africa scripted history at Lord’s on Saturday, clinching their first senior men’s ICC title in 27 years with a resounding five-wicket win over Australia in the ICC World Test Championship 2025 Final.
Chasing a modest target of 282, the Proteas resumed on the fourth morning needing just 69 more runs. Aiden Markram, who was later named Player of the Match, anchored the innings with a sublime 136, a knock that stood tall in a match largely dominated by the bowlers.
Though South Africa lost captain Temba Bavuma (66) early in the day and Tristan Stubbs (8) soon after, Markram remained composed, punishing loose deliveries and guiding the chase with authority. He eventually fell with just six runs needed, receiving a standing ovation from a captivated Lord’s crowd. Kyle Verreynne struck the winning runs to seal a historic moment for South African cricket.
Kagiso Rabada also played a pivotal role, claiming nine wickets across both innings in a performance that underlined his world-class pedigree. Remarkably, both Rabada and Markram were part of South Africa’s victorious 2014 U19 World Cup side, now crowned again a decade later at the highest level.
For Australia, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc struck briefly to raise hopes of a comeback, but the target proved insufficient. Despite a strong bowling effort throughout the match, they were undone by Markram’s brilliance and South Africa’s resilience.
This victory not only ends South Africa’s long wait for a global trophy since the 1998 ICC Knockout (now Champions Trophy) but also offers redemption after recent near-misses, including last year’s T20 World Cup final loss to India.
Aiden Markram, player of the match, said: “These are probably the most important runs I’ve ever scored. After getting a duck in the first innings, it’s funny how things turned around. The atmosphere at Lord’s, the crowd, and playing a final here, it’s incredibly special. Credit to Temba for pushing through injury and leading from the front. This day will live long in the memory.”
Temba Bavuma, South Africa captain, said: “It’s been a special few days, it felt like home at times. We came in with belief despite the doubters, and I’m proud we delivered. This win means a lot for us and for everyone back home. Aiden and KG were immense, showing true character. Hopefully, this is just the beginning. As a nation, divided as we are, moments like this can unite us. We’ll definitely celebrate together.”
Pat Cummins, Australia captain, said: “We had our moments, but South Africa were simply better. Didn’t capitalise on our first-innings lead and couldn’t break Aiden and Temba’s stand. Credit to them, they deserved the win. Proud of our journey to the final; it’s the pinnacle of Test cricket and still a special week despite the result.”
BRIEF SCORES: SOUTH AFRICA 138 (Bedingham 45, Cummins 6-28) and 282 for 5 (Markram 146, Bavuma 66, Starc 3-66) beat AUSTRALIA 212 (Webster 72, Smith 66, Rabada 5-51) and 207 (Starc 58, Carey 43, Rabada 4-59, Ngidi 3-38) by five wickets.
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