South Africa Won First Ever ICC Event - Won ICC World Test Championship 2025

On June 14, 2025, South Africa etched their name in cricket history by clinching the ICC World Test Championship 2023–2025 final against Australia at Lord’s Cricket Ground, London. Chasing a target of 282 runs, the Proteas secured a five-wicket victory, ending decades of heartbreak and earning their first ICC title since 1998. Led by captain Temba Bavuma and powered by a century from Aiden Markram, South Africa overcame a formidable Australian side to claim the coveted WTC mace.

outh Africa’s triumph in the WTC 2025 final was monumental for several reasons:

First WTC Title: It was South Africa’s maiden appearance in a WTC final, and they became the third team to win the championship, following New Zealand (2021) and Australia (2023).
End of Trophy Drought: The victory ended a 27-year wait for an ICC title, the last being the 1998 ICC Knockout (now Champions Trophy) under Hansie Cronje.
Redemption Narrative: Known for underperforming in high-stakes ICC events, the Proteas shed their “chokers” tag with this gritty performance.
Historic Venue: Winning at Lord’s, the “Home of Cricket,” added prestige to the achievement, especially as it was the first WTC final hosted there.
Team Effort: The victory highlighted South Africa’s collective strength, with contributions from bowlers like Kagiso Rabada and batters like Markram and Bavuma, under coach Shukri Conrad’s guidance.

Final Scorecard

Australia 1st Innings: 212 all out (Steve Smith 66, Beau Webster 72; Kagiso Rabada 5/51, Marco Jansen 3/49)
South Africa 1st Innings: 138 all out (David Bedingham 45, Temba Bavuma 36; Pat Cummins 6/28, Mitchell Starc 3/66)
Australia 2nd Innings: 207 all out (Alex Carey 41; Kagiso Rabada 4 wickets, Lungi Ngidi 3 wickets)
South Africa 2nd Innings: 282/5 (80.6 overs; Aiden Markram 136, Temba Bavuma 65; Mitchell Starc 3/66, Josh Hazlewood 1 wicket)
Result: South Africa won by 5 wickets
Player of the Match: Aiden Markram, for his match-defining 136 in the chase.

South Africa’s five-wicket victory over Australia in the ICC World Test Championship 2025 final on June 14, 2025, at Lord’s was a defining moment in cricket history. Aiden Markram’s century, Temba Bavuma’s courage, and Kagiso Rabada’s bowling heroics delivered a long-awaited ICC title, ending a 27-year drought. The match showcased Test cricket’s drama, with South Africa overcoming a challenging 282-run chase against a world-class Australian side. As the Proteas celebrated at the “Home of Cricket,” their triumph inspired a nation and set a new benchmark for their cricketing future.