In a moment that captured the hearts of cricket fans worldwide, former South African pace legend Dale Steyn was overcome with emotion, shedding tears of joy as the Proteas clinched the World Test Championship (WTC) title with a historic five-wicket victory over Australia at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground. This triumph marked the end of a 27-year-long wait for an ICC trophy for South Africa, a moment of redemption and pride for a nation that has long yearned for such glory.
Steyn, who terrorized batters during his illustrious career with 439 wickets in 93 Tests, was live on air with Star Sports when the emotions overflowed. ‘What do you do? What do you say? It’s incredible,’ Steyn stammered, his voice cracking. ‘I’m sitting at home. I have my Test cap here. I’m extremely proud. I’ll take my son for a walk. Life will carry on,’ he added, holding up his cherished cap and giving a heartfelt thumbs up to the camera while wiping away tears with a tissue. The raw, unfiltered reaction has since gone viral, resonating with fans who understand the weight of this achievement.
On the field, South Africa’s victory was nothing short of spectacular. Chasing a challenging target of 282 runs, opener Aiden Markram played a match-defining knock of 136 runs, guiding the team to victory by lunch on Day 4 in just 83.4 overs. His composure under pressure at the ‘Home of Cricket’ was a testament to South Africa’s newfound grit. The defending champions, Australia, who have historically dominated the Proteas, were left stunned as the WTC mace slipped from their grasp.
The emotional undercurrent of this victory wasn’t limited to Steyn. Veteran spinner Keshav Maharaj, who played a crucial role with his left-arm spin throughout the tournament, was also in tears. ‘This is even more special because my family is here with me,’ Maharaj shared. ‘It’s my first title as a father, and my dream was to have my daughter with me, playing on the outfield at Lord’s, with a winner’s medal around her neck.’ His words painted a poignant picture of personal and professional triumph coinciding on such a grand stage, especially poignant with Father’s Day looming just around the corner.
One of the defining images of the day was captain Temba Bavuma lifting the WTC mace with one hand, while his young son held the other. ‘Fatherhood has definitely changed me as a person. Even the team says it’s made me a better man. It’s special and gives you someone else to play for,’ Bavuma reflected. Under his leadership, and guided by head coach Shukri Conrad, South Africa has transformed into a resilient unit, blending youth and experience to conquer the ultimate Test crown.
As the dust settles on this historic win, the South African squad is set to return home on Wednesday. A heroes’ welcome awaits them at OR Tambo International Airport, where they are expected to address the media and share their journey of grit, emotion, and ultimate triumph. For now, the image of Steyn’s tears, Bavuma’s quiet strength, and Markram’s match-winning heroics will linger in the minds of cricket lovers as a reminder of what makes this sport so deeply human and profoundly inspiring.