South Africa win maiden World Test championship title in historic triumph over Australia at Lord’s

LONDON — June 14, 2025 — South Africa captured their first-ever World Test Championship title on Saturday, clinching a five-wicket victory over Australia in a tense finale at Lord’s. 

Chasing a daunting 282-run target, the Proteas completed one of the most memorable fourth-innings pursuits in the storied history of the ground.

Resuming day four at 213-2, South Africa endured a nervous morning, needing 69 more runs for victory. It took them 27.4 overs to get there, eventually sealing the win just before lunch and matching the second-highest successful fourth-innings chase at Lord’s.

Opener Aiden Markram played the starring role with a match-defining 136-run innings, which laid the foundation for South Africa’s turnaround after they entered the match as underdogs. He was dismissed with just six runs required, caught brilliantly by Travis Head, but his contribution had already steered his team to the cusp of glory.

Kyle Verreynne hit the winning run and remained unbeaten on 4, alongside David Bedingham, who finished on 21 not out.

“It was the most nervous I’ve ever been. I didn’t want to come out and bat, but when Aiden went out, I had to,” said a visibly relieved Verreynne after the match.

Earlier in the day, South Africa lost captain Temba Bavuma in just the third over, adding only one run to his overnight 65. His dismissal, caught behind off a Pat Cummins delivery, briefly stirred memories of South Africa’s many past heartbreaks in knockout matches.

Australia, desperate for a breakthrough, used both of their remaining reviews unsuccessfully before Mitchell Starc bowled Tristan Stubbs for 8, reducing South Africa to 241-5 with 41 still needed. However, Markram and Bedingham steadied the innings with a 35-run stand that all but ensured victory.

South Africa’s win was rooted in their bold decision to bowl first after winning the toss. Pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada vindicated that call, taking 5-51 to help dismiss defending champions Australia for just 212 on day one.

Although South Africa’s first-innings response was a modest 138, handing Australia a 74-run lead, they fought back hard. Australia’s second innings, too, wobbled at 73-7 before their tail lifted the total to 207, setting South Africa a target of 282.

As pitch conditions flattened after 24 wickets fell in the first two days, South Africa seized the moment, applying grit and composure to script a landmark win.

This victory marks the Proteas’ first major ICC tournament triumph and serves as redemption for decades of near-misses and painful exits on the global stage. It was also their debut appearance in a WTC final.