South Africa clinched their maiden World Test Championship title, defeating Australia by five wickets in a thrilling final at Lord’s, ending decades of longing for a major global cricket crown.
The Proteas’ victory, sealed on the fourth day, marked a historic moment as they chased down 282 runs, the joint second-highest successful run chase in Test cricket at the iconic venue, surpassed only by the West Indies’ 342 in 1984.
Resuming their second innings at 213-2, South Africa needed just 69 runs to secure the championship. However, Australia’s captain Pat Cummins sparked hope for a comeback, dismissing South African skipper Temba Bavuma for 66, caught behind in the third over of the day. With 41 runs still required, Mitchell Starc further rattled the Proteas, bowling Tristan Stubbs through the gate, injecting tension into the South African dressing room.
Undeterred, centurion Aiden Markram anchored the chase with a masterful 136, the only hundred of the match. Markram’s composed innings brought South Africa to the cusp of victory, though he fell agonizingly short of hitting the winning runs, caught at mid-wicket off Josh Hazlewood.
The responsibility then fell to David Bedingham and Kyle Verreynne, who steadied the nerves of a nation. Verreynne sealed the triumph with a elegant drive through the covers off Starc for a single, raising his arms in jubilation as the Lord’s crowd erupted.
South Africa’s triumph makes them the third team to claim the World Test Championship, following New Zealand in 2021 and Australia in 2023.
The victory, celebrated wildly by players and fans alike, signals a new era for South African cricket, cementing their place among the game’s elite.