South Africa scripted a fairytale finish at Lord’s on Saturday, defeating Australia in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final with a record fourth-innings chase of 282—ending a painful 27-year wait for an ICC trophy.
Long burdened by heartbreaks on the global stage, the Proteas finally turned the tide in their favour, with Aiden Markram playing the innings of his life. The opener struck a sublime, unbeaten 124, anchoring the chase with poise and authority. Captain Temba Bavuma, battling a hamstring injury, lent grit to the effort with a defiant 66, before sealing the win in style—driving a boundary through the covers to spark scenes of jubilation in the South African camp.
The triumph is South Africa’s first major ICC title since lifting the 1998 Champions Trophy and comes as long-overdue redemption. For years, the team has been haunted by crushing defeats—the chaotic 1999 World Cup semi-final, the DLS blunder in 2003, and a string of knockout-stage collapses in 2011, 2015, and beyond, including recent heartbreaks in the 2022 and 2024 T20 World Cups and the 2023 ODI World Cup semi-final.
Saturday’s win is more than a title—it’s a statement of resilience. It marks the end of an era defined by "what-ifs" and the dawn of a new chapter filled with belief. For the players, fans, and the nation, it’s a golden moment that rewrites South Africa’s legacy in world cricket.