South Africa, led by Temba Bavuma, made history by defeating Australia by five wickets in the ICC World Test Championship Final (WTC) at Lord’s. The Proteas’ record at ICC events has been one of disappointing defeats and near misses. However, the team maintained an eight-match unbeaten Test streak and won the famous Test mace.
South Africa were never favourites against the reigning champions, but they fought their way through to win their first ICC crown in 27 years. Australia batted first and scored 212 runs in the first innings. Despite some early stumbles, the partnership of Steven Smith and Beau Webster anchored the innings on the first day.
For the Proteas, Kagiso Rabada took five wickets in an incredible performance. Despite this advantage, the Proteas struggled with the bat and were bowled out for 138, with skipper Bavuma (36) and David Bedingham (45) providing the only battling efforts. Meanwhile, Australian skipper Pat Cummins went 6 for 28, putting the opposition on the back foot. Cummins & Co. managed 207 in their second innings, with Mitchell Starc scoring an undefeated 58. Rabada and Lungi Ngidi shared seven wickets between them to keep the target under 300.
Aiden Markram scored 136 off 207 balls while chasing 282. The vice-captain, along with skipper Bavuma (66), put together a match-winning 147-run stand. Markram stepped out to a standing ovation after falling for only six runs. Kyle Verreynne, the wicketkeeper-batsman, smashed the final ball through the covers to secure the match and give South Africa their first World Tour trophy. Markram was named Player of the Match for his heroics with the bat and effective bowling.
Meanwhile, check out the top memes from the WTC Final 2023-25 here:
Temba Bavuma with one injured leg scored half century and Aiden Markram with century chasing the target more than 250 runs when opposition team has main player named Smith.#WtcFinal2025 #AUSvsSA pic.twitter.com/FRAxK1Zwap
— Sunil the Cricketer (@1sInto2s) June 14, 2025
Take a bow Aiden Markram 🙇♂️🙇♂️ pic.twitter.com/2N2dn92BvH
— rozgar_CA (@Memeswalaladka) June 14, 2025
WTC Finals Summary…😆 #WtcFinal2025 pic.twitter.com/2YTndGxo36
— Jo Kar (@i_am_gustakh) June 14, 2025
Congratulations 🇿🇦#LordBavuma #WtcFinal2025 pic.twitter.com/r7l7Qb0q2M
— Krishna (@Atheist_Krishna) June 14, 2025
-Josh Hazlewood never lost a Final in his career.
-Mitch Starc never lost an ICC Final in his career
-Pat Cummins never lost a knockout match as Australia’s captain pic.twitter.com/xNGl5GDlQN
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) June 14, 2025
lord bavuma #WTCFinal pic.twitter.com/21TwZcxVsw
— Jagrizzz🎀 (@kandapohaa) June 13, 2025
South Africa has finally won the WTC and gotten rid of the chokers tag forever.#WtcFinal2025 pic.twitter.com/JSaxSYhFEZ
— rozgar_CA (@Memeswalaladka) June 14, 2025
Every cricket fan today be like pic.twitter.com/RBjBtss6I9
— Shikhar Sagar (@crazy__shikhu) June 14, 2025
Witnessed RCB lifiting first title in 18 years and South Africa lifiting first ICC trophy in last 27 years.
Ab de Villiers is having some really best times ❤️ pic.twitter.com/HVZSn4cFF1
— Pari (@BluntIndianGal) June 14, 2025
