South Africa Wins Maiden WTC Title, Ends 27-Year ICC Trophy Drought

South Africa made history at Lord’s on Saturday, defeating defending champions Australia by five wickets to win the World Test Championship (WTC) Final and end a 27-year wait for a major ICC trophy.

Chasing 281 to win, the Proteas resumed the fourth day at 213/2 and calmly knocked off the remaining 69 runs, finishing at 282/5. Aiden Markram was the hero, scoring a match-winning 136 before falling with just six runs needed. His marathon innings, lasting over six hours, anchored South Africa’s successful chase — the second-highest ever at Lord’s in Test history.

Captain Temba Bavuma's 66 runs, plus an important 143-run partnership with Markram, helped to set the stage for the chase on Day 3. The Proteas lost both batters early on the last morning, but they kept their cool and Kyle Verreynne struck the winning run to spark scenes of celebration for the players on the field and for South African fans all around the world.

"This is super emotional," said spinner Keshav Maharaj, "To lift a trophy and make our nation proud after so many painful years is beyond words."

South Africa comfortably put Australia on the backfoot from the start. After opting to bowl first, South Africa dismissed the Aussies for 212, thanks to excellent spells from Kagiso Rabada (5 for 51) and Marco Jansen (3 for 49). The Aussies offered some resistance from Steve Smith (66) and Beau Webster (72) but never managed to get into the match.

Australia put up a fightback with their bowlers, especially with Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc taking key wickets, but South Africa's hitting was calm under pressure, especially Markram, who batting coach Ashwell Prince described as, "someone for the big occasion."

South Africa's victory finally ends a long run of heartbreak in ICC events, and after this win, they have one more trophy to their name than they did before - their only other major tournament title, the 1998 Champions Trophy (then known as the ICC KnockOut).

Now unbeaten in eight consecutive Tests, South Africa has shown it belongs at the pinnacle of world cricket. Lord’s 2025 will forever be remembered as the day they finally conquered the biggest stage.