In a moment etched into the annals of cricketing history, South Africa has finally ended a 27-year wait for an ICC trophy by clinching the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 title at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground. This monumental victory on Saturday sparked widespread celebrations and drew heartfelt tributes from cricketing legends across the globe, who hailed the Proteas for their grit, determination, and sheer brilliance.
The Proteas’ triumph was a testament to their resilience, as they chased down a daunting target of 282 runs—marking the joint second-highest successful chase at Lord’s, only behind West Indies’ 342 in 1984. At the heart of this historic win was a 147-run partnership between Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma, a stand that spanned across Day 3 and Day 4, dismantling a formidable Australian bowling attack with composure and flair.
Markram’s match-defining century was the cornerstone of the chase, earning him praise as a ‘masterful performer’ by legends like Chris Gayle, who called it ‘a great advertisement for Test cricket.’ Sachin Tendulkar echoed similar sentiments on X, writing, ‘Test cricket continues to weave its magic. In a final where every session had its own story, @ProteasMenCSA found calm in the storm. Markram’s composure and Bavuma’s grit under pressure stood tall in the fourth innings. A century that will be remembered, a partnership that turned hope into history.’
For South African greats like AB de Villiers and Graeme Smith, who never tasted such glory during their illustrious careers, the victory was deeply personal. Cameras captured their emotional reactions at Lord’s, with de Villiers sharing his joy on X: ‘Fantastic win and so well played! Hats off to Markram for that match-winning century, and Temba for leading with such ice and fire all through. Watching this with my two boys thrilled on their toes—couldn’t have imagined it better. Go Proteas!’
Keshav Maharaj, speaking in a tearful post-match interview with Graeme Smith, encapsulated the nation’s emotions: ‘It’s special, an honor to lift the cup for everyone here and back home. Tears won’t describe what we feel right now. This is what the country’s about—the unity in the last five days. We are very grateful as a team, as a nation.’
Other cricketing icons also joined the chorus of congratulations. Dale Steyn kept it short but powerful with a single word on X: ‘HOME!!!!!’ Kumar Sangakkara highlighted the team’s determination, saying, ‘Bosh and Boom. What a win for @ProteasMenCSA—they have out-skilled and out-wanted the Australians. Tremendously led by Temba Bavuma, they show how powerful purpose, passion, and belief are in shaping the path to a trophy.’
With this victory, South Africa joins the elite list of WTC champions alongside New Zealand (2021) and Australia (2023), while India once again finished as runners-up, having lost the finals in the previous two editions. This triumph not only marks a new chapter for South African cricket but also serves as a reminder of the enduring drama and beauty of Test cricket.
As the Proteas bask in the glory of their hard-fought victory, the cricketing world stands united in applauding a team that turned years of heartbreak into a moment of unparalleled joy. For South Africa, this is more than a trophy; it’s a symbol of hope, perseverance, and national pride.