South Africa’s journey in ICC events has been a rollercoaster of near misses and heartbreaks, but 2025 presents a golden opportunity for redemption. For the fourth time in just six ICC tournaments since 2023, the Proteas have reached the finals, showcasing their consistency and resilience on the grand stage. This time, they will battle Australia at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground on June 11th in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final.
After falling short in three previous finals – the Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 (against Australia), the Men’s T20 World Cup 2023 (against India), and the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 (against New Zealand) – South Africa is hungrier than ever to claim their first ICC trophy in the 21st century. Bavuma, following in the footsteps of Aiden Markram, has become only the second South African captain to lead his nation to an ICC final in this era.
The Proteas stormed into the WTC final on the back of an incredible seven-match winning streak, finishing with an impressive 69.44% points. With Lord’s as the stage and history in their sights, Bavuma and his team are determined to end the drought and etch their names in cricketing folklore. Can they finally seize the coveted trophy? The countdown begins!
South Africa vs Australia: A Rivalry Rekindled for WTC Glory
The stage is set for another chapter in the storied rivalry between South Africa and Australia, this time at the prestigious World Test Championship (WTC) Final at Lord’s on June 11th. For the Proteas, the clash carries the weight of history and the burning desire to clinch their first ICC title of the 21st century.
In seven previous knockout encounters across formats, South Africa has managed just one win – in the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup semifinal – a victory that saw them progress to the final, only to fall short against New Zealand. The remaining six encounters, including iconic clashes like the infamous tied 1999 ODI World Cup semifinal and defeats in the 2007 ODI World Cup semifinal and multiple Women’s T20 World Cup knock-outs, have all gone Australia’s way.
Adding intrigue to this WTC Final is the unique backdrop: neither South Africa nor Australia faced each other during the league stages or in bilateral Test series over the 2023–25 cycle. This marks the first time in WTC history that two teams, without any prior encounters in the tournament, will directly contest the final.
For Temba Bavuma’s men, this is not just a match; it’s a mission to rewrite history. Can South Africa finally break their ICC knockout jinx against Australia and seize their maiden ICC crown of the 21st century? The cricketing world waits with bated breath.