South African cricket celebrated a historic milestone as the national team clinched their first-ever world title with a 5-wicket victory over Australia in the World Test Championship Final at Lord’s on Saturday.
Chasing a target of 282, South Africa reached 282/5 before lunch on Day 4, thanks to a magnificent knock of 136 by opener Aiden Markram, who fell just six runs before the win was sealed.
Markram’s brilliance, combined with a crucial 147-run partnership with captain Temba Bavuma (66), laid the foundation for the successful chase. Despite losing Bavuma early on Day 4, David Bedingham (21) helped steer the team home* with composure.
This landmark win marked South Africa’s first true world championship in cricket. Though they won the 1998 ICC KnockOut Trophy (now Champions Trophy), Saturday’s victory is regarded as their first full-fledged world title, especially after the heartbreak of narrowly losing the 2024 T20 World Cup final to India.
It was a story of redemption for the Proteas, who had been bowled out for just 138 in the first innings and trailed by 74 runs, only to bounce back with a dominant bowling performance and a near-flawless second innings.
Kagiso Rabada played a decisive role, taking nine wickets in the match and helping restrict Australia to under 220 in both innings.
This triumph also holds special significance as Temba Bavuma became the first black African captain to lead South Africa to a world title in cricket—adding a historic and symbolic layer to the win.
Australia, on the other hand, were left to rue missed chances—most notably when Steve Smith dropped Bavuma early in his innings, a moment that proved costly both on the scoreboard and to Australia’s title hopes.
