WTC final: South Africa ends 27-year drought of major ICC title

South Africa wins ICC title by defeating Australia in World Test Championship final at Lords with brilliant performances.

South Africa ended their 27-year wait for a major ICC title by defeating Australia in the World Test Championship final on day 4 at Lords in London on Saturday (June 14, 2025).

South Africa defeated defending champion Australia by 5 wickets.

After electing to field first, South African bowlers led by Kagiso Rabada (5 for 51) and Marco Jansen (3 for 49) dismissed the defending champions Australia for 212. Steve Smith (66) and Beu Webster (72) were the main scorers for the Australian team.

Despite good batting from captain Temba Bavuma (36) and David Bedingham (45), Australian bowlers led by captain Pat Cummins (6 for 28) dismissed South Africa for a meagre 138. Thus Australia took a lead of 74 runs.

Australian batsmen had no answer to some brilliant bowling from Kagiso Rabada once again. He took 4 for 59 in the second innings. Lungi Ngidi supported him by taking 3 for 38. Australians were dismissed for 207 with Mitchell Starc (58) and Alex Carey (43) being the main scorers. Australians were tottering at 148 for 9 but a brilliant last-wicket partnership between Starc and Josh Hazlewood took Australia past 200. Thus Australia set South African a target of 282.

Chasing 282 in the fourth innings was knife-on-the-edge task for the Proteas. Mitchell Starc removed Ryan Rickleton early for 6. South Africa also lost Wiaan Mulder for 27 with the score at 70. But Aiden Markram (136) and Temba Bavuma (66) added 144 runs for the third wicket.

At the beginning of the fourth day, Pat Cummins removed his South African counterpart, Temba Bavuma. Despite losing Stubbs, Markam and Bedingham held their nerve to play some excellent shots and took the Proteas past the magic mark of 282 runs.