Temba Bavuma stood tall at Lord’s on June 14, holding the World Test Championship mace. South Africa had finally done it. After 27 years of waiting, they defeated the formidable Australia by 5 wickets in the WTC final to lift the ICC trophy. And their captain couldn’t stop smiling.
“It has been a special couple of days,” Bavuma said after the match. “It felt like we were back home in South Africa with all the support. This is a special moment for the team and for everyone back home. It will take a few days to really sink in.”
South Africa won the toss and chose to bowl first. They bowled out Australia for just 212 in the first innings, with Kagiso Rabada taking five wickets. In reply, South Africa managed only 138 runs, giving Australia a 74-run lead.
But the Proteas’ bowlers were up to the task again, dismissing Australia for 207 in the second innings. That left a target of 282 to win the final.
Aiden Markram played a brilliant innings, scoring a century -- the first by a South African in the final of an ICC tournament. Bavuma added a calm 66. The chase was completed in the 84th over, as Kyle Verreynne hit the winning run off Mitchell Starc.
South Africa's first ever trophy came in 1998 when they defeated West Indies to lift the ICC Champions Trophy. The heartbreak for 27 years wasn't easy.
“We’ve been knocking on the door,” Bavuma said. “We’ve been through the heartache and disappointments. We’ve seen it happen to players before us. But now, the sun is on us.”
With this win, Bavuma’s unbeaten record as South Africa’s Test captain stays intact. After the match, he made sure to acknowledge the players who made it possible -- especially Kagiso Rabada, who took six wickets in the match.
“KG is a massive player. In a few years, he’ll be in the ICC Hall of Fame. Markram was unbelievable. Stats are important, but character matters more -- and Aiden has that.”
Bavuma also praised Aiden Markram once more, highlighting not just his performance but the mental strength it took to bounce back from a first-innings duck.
“Markram was unbelievable, stats are important but character is what we look at and Aiden has that. Another massive player for us.”
Many had questioned South Africa’s route to the final, suggesting they reached it by beating weaker teams. Bavuma had a message for the doubters.
“There were doubters with the route we took. But we got ourselves into the final and we won. This is for them. I’m sure people back home will be celebrating.”
This was South Africa’s second ICC title in senior-level tournaments, and their first in the World Test Championship. Interestingly, they have batted second in all five of their appearances in ICC finals across both men’s and women’s formats.
