WTC Final 2025: Aiden Markram’s Lord’s Masterclass Ends South Africa’s ICC Title Drought
In a historic triumph at the ‘Home of Cricket’, South Africa buried decades of ICC heartbreak with a commanding five-wicket victory over Australia in the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) Final at Lord’s on Saturday. Aiden Markram, with a breathtaking 136, emerged as the architect of this long-awaited glory, guiding the Proteas to their first major global title since 1998.
Chasing a challenging target of 282, South Africa resumed Day 4 at 213/2. Under overcast London skies, Markram’s steely resolve and elegance shone through as he anchored the innings with unwavering focus. Despite falling agonisingly short of hitting the winning runs—dismissed for 136—the right-hander’s knock was the heartbeat of a victory that ended at 282/5, rewriting South African cricket history.
A Journey of Redemption for Markram
Reflecting on his rollercoaster journey in the match, Markram spoke of the poetic justice in his performance after a first-innings duck. ‘It’s weird how cricket works,’ he mused. ‘You get a duck, and then something like this happens. Playing at Lord’s is every Test cricketer’s dream. It was about absorbing the pressure and maximising every opportunity. This is a truly special day.’ He also tipped his hat to captain Temba Bavuma, whose gritty contribution complemented the chase. ‘Temba’s knock was phenomenal. He’s one of the best and always leads from the front. These are the innings people remember you for.’
Proteas Roar: Key Voices from the Camp
Kagiso Rabada, the fiery pace spearhead, didn’t hold back when addressing critics who doubted South Africa’s journey to the final. ‘Some said we didn’t play tough teams—that’s absolute rubbish. Australia are one of the best sides in the world. We had to bring our A-game to beat them. The last four days felt like a home match with the incredible fan support. Thank you for turning up, and please keep doing so,’ Rabada said, visibly moved by the sea of green and gold in the stands.
Head coach Shukri Conrad dedicated the victory to the nation. ‘This one’s for South Africa. The partnership between our senior pros was where the game turned in our favour. As a coach, sometimes you just have to trust the players—they knew better today,’ Conrad remarked, highlighting the maturity of his squad.
Lungi Ngidi, whose game-changing spell on Day 3 broke Australia’s middle order, couldn’t contain his emotions. ‘I’m speechless. That spell opened the door for us. My blood pressure is through the roof, but I’m so proud of the boys. A lot of hard work has gone into this moment,’ he said with a wide grin.
Young all-rounder Marco Jansen described the tense final moments from the dressing room. ‘I was just sitting there praying. There were a lot of nerves in the change room. Seeing the crowd and their support—it was unbelievable. Markram and Temba were brilliant. Dreams are meant to be achieved, and we’re going to celebrate this one,’ Jansen enthused.
From Heartbreak to History
South Africa’s journey to this triumph is a tale of resilience. Often labelled as ‘chokers’ in ICC events, the scars of near-misses—like the gut-wrenching loss in the 1999 World Cup semi-final—have haunted the Proteas for decades. But at Lord’s, under the hallowed arch of the Pavilion, they finally shed that tag. Markram’s innings, coupled with a disciplined bowling effort led by Rabada (who claimed 3/67 in the second innings) and Ngidi, showcased a team that has matured into champions.
As the winning runs were scored, the South African players erupted in joy, embracing each other on the field while the crowd roared in unison. This victory isn’t just a title; it’s a statement. From the heartbreak of Barbados to the glory of Lord’s, the Proteas have arrived on cricket’s grandest stage—and they’re here to stay.