At precisely 12:45 pm on a radiant Saturday at the historic Lord’s Cricket Ground, South Africa scripted their greatest cricketing fairytale, securing their first-ever World Test Championship title. It was a moment decades in the making — one that carried the hopes, heartbreaks, and history of a cricketing nation desperately yearning for global recognition in the longest format. After years of near-misses and painful defeats in ICC tournaments, Aiden Markram stood tall with a defining 136-run epic, guiding the Proteas to the summit of Test cricket. The moment the winning runs were dispatched through the covers by Kyle Verreynne, generations of South African cricketers—past and present—could finally exhale.
No longer will the 1998 ICC Knockout triumph be their solitary global triumph. This was something bigger, something defining—a crowning achievement that stands alongside the great underdog sporting stories of the modern era.
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Temba Bavuma’s Grit Shines in Moment of Truth
While South Africa’s triumph was ultimately inevitable, it was far from straightforward. Coming into the fourth day needing just 69 more with eight wickets intact, it might have seemed a routine task on paper. But cricket, particularly for South Africa on big stages, rarely follows scripts.
With a crowd overwhelmingly in favor of the Proteas, even the first run of the morning—courtesy of Temba Bavuma’s push into the covers—was met with thunderous applause. Yet, the occasion carried the weight of history, and with each passing delivery, nerves fluctuated wildly among supporters and players alike.
Bavuma, defying the pain of a stubborn hamstring strain, displayed remarkable courage. At one point, it appeared inevitable that he might retire hurt, but instead, he chose resilience, forging a monumental 147-run partnership with Markram that shifted the balance of the contest. His eventual dismissal, edging a sharp lifter from Pat Cummins, cracked open the door for Australia, reigniting memories of South Africa’s troubled ICC past.
Markram’s Defiant Epic
However, this was destined to be Markram’s coronation. Amid relentless pressure, occasional boundaries were priceless, including an exquisite square drive off Cummins and a thunderous pull that showcased both class and authority. It wasn’t just an innings—it was a battle of endurance, temperament, and immaculate stroke play under extreme scrutiny.
Markram’s ability to shoulder the monumental expectation embodied South Africa’s newfound steel. Even as Australia clawed back through moments of brilliance, including Mitchell Starc’s snorter that dismissed Tristan Stubbs with 41 runs still needed, Markram’s calm aura prevented panic.
Australia’s desperation was palpable, leading to squandered DRS reviews—three unsuccessful pleas that revealed their increasing anxiety. In a twist of fate, when Verreynne later gloved a delivery off Starc with scores level, it wasn’t detected by the umpires. Luck, finally, wore green and gold.
Australia’s Spirited Resistance Falters
Australia, despite their enviable Test pedigree, will be left to ponder how a promising 74-run lead after the first innings unraveled so spectacularly. Their second-innings collapse—stumbling to 73 for 7 on the second evening—became the turning point that shifted the WTC mace toward South Africa’s grasp. Though the lower order battled valiantly, and the pace quartet led by Cummins and Starc fought tooth and nail, this was a rare occasion where Australia finished second.
Josh Hazlewood’s introduction with the second new ball provided a fleeting hope, but Markram promptly nullified it with calculated strokeplay. As David Bedingham eased the requirement into single figures, it was clear that destiny was shifting South Africa’s way.
Kyle Verreynne Applies the Final Stroke of Glory
Fittingly, when Markram finally perished aiming for the leg side, his 136 had already immortalized him in South African cricket folklore. Several Australian players approached to offer handshakes, acknowledging the magnitude of the innings they had just witnessed. It was an act of sporting grace—a recognition that sometimes even champions must bow to greatness.
Kyle Verreynne fittingly applied the finishing touch, stroking the winning boundary to spark jubilant scenes not just at Lord’s but across South Africa. Decades of unfulfilled potential had finally transformed into glory.
A New Dawn for South African Cricket
This victory will resonate well beyond cricketing circles. It stands as a powerful narrative for Test cricket’s vitality beyond the ‘Big Three’ hegemony of India, Australia, and England. For South African cricket, often battling internal challenges and external expectations, this was a moment of vindication.
For Markram, Bavuma, Verreynne, and the entire Proteas squad, June 14, 2025, at Lord’s will forever be remembered not as just another match, but as the day South African cricket found its rightful place among global champions.
No more a story of heartbreak. No more a narrative of potential unfulfilled.
South Africa are champions.
Brief Scores
Australia 212 (Beau Webster 72, Steven Smith 66; Kagiso Rabada 5-51, Marco Jansen 3-49) & 206 (Mitchell Starc 58*, Alex Carey 43; Kagiso Rabada 4-59, Lungi Ngidi 3-38) lost to South Africa 138 (David Bedingham 45, Temba Bavuma 36; Pat Cummins 6-28, Mitchell Starc 2-41) & 282/5 (Aiden Markram 136, Temba Bavuma 66; Mitchell Starc 3-66) by 5 wickets.
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FAQs
Who played the decisive innings for South Africa in the WTC 2025 Final?
Aiden Markram’s brilliant 136 proved to be the decisive performance of the final.
How critical was Temba Bavuma’s contribution despite his injury?
Bavuma played through a hamstring injury to forge a vital 147-run partnership with Markram.
Which Australian bowler posed the biggest threat on the final day?
Mitchell Starc was Australia’s standout, claiming key wickets and nearly engineering a comeback.
Who struck the winning runs for South Africa?
Kyle Verreynne delivered the final blow, guiding a boundary through the covers.
Why is this win significant for South African cricket?
It ended a 27-year drought in ICC events and established South Africa as global Test cricket champions.
