Proteas Lift World Test Championship Mace After Historic Win at Lord’s
London, June 14, 2025 – South Africa have finally broken their long-standing ICC trophy drought, defeating defending champions Australia by five wickets in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2025 at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground. This marks their first major ICC title since the 1998 Champions Trophy and their first Test championship triumph.
Markram’s Heroic Century Anchors Chase
Set a target of 282, the Proteas resumed Day 4 on 213-2 and calmly knocked off the remaining 69 runs. Aiden Markram, who started the day on 102*, scored a heroic 136 before falling with just 6 runs needed. His six-and-a-half-hour vigil under pressure defined the match. South Africa reached the target before lunch on Saturday, with Kyle Verreynne driving the winning runs through the covers.
Bavuma’s Redemption and Rabada’s Glory
Captain Temba Bavuma, criticized earlier in the tournament, contributed a crucial 66 and led the team to its most significant Test triumph. After the victory, Bavuma carried the WTC mace alongside Kagiso Rabada, who starred with the ball across the Test.
“Diversity is our strength,” said an emotional Keshav Maharaj. “To lift this trophy here at Lord’s, it unites the nation. After 27 years, we’re finally world champions.”
Australia Fights, but Falls Short
Pat Cummins and the Australian bowlers fought hard on a docile pitch. Mitchell Starc castled Tristan Stubbs for 8, and Josh Hazlewood dismissed Markram late, but it was too late to prevent the inevitable. Australia exhausted all reviews in the morning session and could not prevent a defeat with over a day to spare.
Detailed scorecard and stats can be found at ESPNcricinfo’s WTC Final 2025 coverage.
Unbeaten Streak, Global Respect
Despite criticism for a “soft draw” in the WTC cycle, South Africa has now won eight straight Test matches, including several away. Their consistency, composure, and hunger made them deserved champions.
Cricket fans remember their painful past—semifinal heartbreaks in 1999 (Birmingham), 2015 (Auckland), and 2023 (Kolkata). But London 2025 now shines as a turning point in South Africa’s sporting legacy.
Final Moments: A Win for the Rainbow Nation
When the final run was scored, tears flowed in the South African camp and the Lord’s crowd rose in applause. From being labelled “chokers” to becoming champions, the Proteas finally shook off history to claim the mace.
Aiden Markram: “This wasn’t just a win. It was history, a tribute to those who came before us and to everyone back home who believed.”
Even BBC Sport hailed the win as one of the greatest in South African cricket history, calling it a “redemption arc fulfilled at the home of cricket.”
Conclusion
South Africa’s 5-wicket victory over Australia will go down as one of the most emotional and historic moments in cricket. The trophy lifts more than spirits—it unites a nation, proves their critics wrong, and plants their flag firmly in the elite circle of world champions.
For more Test cricket triumphs, check out our blog on the IPL 2025 final and RCB’s first title win.
