South Africa clinch world test championship trophy

South Africa clinch world test championship trophy

South Africa clinched their maiden ICC World Test Championship title in 2025, defeating Australia at Lord’s. Aiden Markram’s 136 and Rabada’s stellar bowling powered the historic win. Ending a 27-year ICC title drought, the victory marked a landmark moment in South African cricket, sealing their dominance in the WTC cycle.

In a historic victory, South Africa emerged the winner of the third ICC World Test Championship (WTC) by beating Australia by five wickets at the historic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London on June 14, 2025. South Africa won the toss and elected to field. Aiden Markram (136 runs), Kagiso Rabada (5/51 & 4/59) and Pat Cummins (6/28) were the key performers.

The victory is South Africa’s first WTC championship title and their first ICC men’s senior major trophy since 1998, with a 27-year wait for an ICC championship coming to an end.

The last, from June 11 to 14, 2025, was a highly competitive match between the best two Test sides. Australia, champions at the time and then number one in the ICC Test rankings, gave South Africa a target of 282 runs to win.

The chase for South Africa was spearheaded by a dominant century by opener Aiden Markram, who made 136 runs, giving solidity to the successful run chase.

Captain Temba Bavuma added a gritty 66 runs, guiding the team through nervous phases, including his fall early on the fourth morning that momentarily gave hope to Australia.

Even after losing Bavuma and subsequently Tristan Stubbs, South Africa remained calm. The key associations, particularly between Markram and David Bedingham, kept the chase going. The winning shots were hit by wicketkeeper-batsman Kyle Verreynne, winning a classic victory for the Proteas.