aus vs sa

South Africa win World Test Championship after completing stunning comeback against Australia

The Australian players are called up for their runners up medals. We’ll hear from their captain Pat Cummins very shortly.

Player of the Match Aidan Markram has been speaking to the BBC. He’s cool as a cucumber but clearly absolutely elated.

AUS vs SA: South Africa’s Historic Win Over Australia in WTC Final 2025

The cricket world witnessed history at Lord’s as South Africa clinched the 2023-25 World Test Championship (WTC) title, ending a 27-year ICC trophy drought with a thrilling five-wicket win over Australia. The AUS vs SA final was a rollercoaster of emotions, with both teams fighting tooth and nail for the coveted mace.

The Build-Up: Australia vs South Africa at Lord’s

Coming into the WTC Final, Australia, the defending champions, were slight favorites. They had a formidable bowling attack led by Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood, and a history of performing in big matches. South Africa, on the other hand, were determined to shed their “chokers” tag and finally secure an ICC title—something that had eluded them since 1998.

Day 4 Drama: Proteas Chase Down 282

The match was finely poised going into the fourth day. South Africa needed 69 runs with eight wickets in hand, thanks to a brilliant unbroken 143-run partnership between Aiden Markram and captain Temba Bavuma on Day 34. Markram, who had been dismissed for a duck in the first innings, was unbeaten on 102, while Bavuma was battling a hamstring injury but stood firm on 65.

Australia struck early on Day 4, removing Bavuma (66) and Tristan Stubbs (8), but Markram continued to anchor the chase53. The Proteas kept their composure despite the pressure, with Markram eventually scoring a match-defining 136—the highest individual score of the final—and taking two crucial wickets in the match. Kagiso Rabada also starred with the ball, claiming nine wickets across both innings.

The Winning Moments

As the target neared, the tension at Lord’s was palpable. South Africa lost a couple more wickets, but Markram and David Bedingham, then Kyle Verreynne, guided the team home. The Proteas reached the target of 282 with five wickets to spare, sparking wild celebrations among players and fans alike.

This chase became the second-highest successful run chase in a Test at Lord’s, only behind the West Indies’ iconic 344/1 against England in 1984.

Key Performers

• Aiden Markram: Player of the Match for his 136 in the second innings and two vital wickets. His century was the backbone of South Africa’s chase.
• Temba Bavuma: Showed immense grit, batting through a hamstring injury to score a crucial half-century.
• Kagiso Rabada: Led the bowling attack with nine wickets, including key breakthroughs at crucial moments.

The Significance of the Win

For South Africa, this victory was more than just a trophy. It was a moment of redemption after years of heartbreak in ICC events. The AUS vs SA final will be remembered as the day the Proteas finally conquered their demons and lifted the WTC mace, joining New Zealand and Australia as champions of the tournament.

With the WTC Final behind them, South Africa can now look forward to future series with renewed confidence. For Australia, it’s back to the drawing board as they reflect on a rare defeat in an ICC final.

In Summary:

The AUS vs SA WTC Final 2025 was a classic encounter, filled with drama, skill, and heart. South Africa’s triumph at Lord’s will go down in history as one of their greatest cricketing achievements, ending a long wait for ICC glory and inspiring a new generation of fans.