At 12:45 pm British Summer Time, history was made. When South Africa’s Kyle Verreynne hit a single off Mitchell Starc, the Proteas finally ended their long wait for ICC glory. After 27 years of heartbreak and missed chances, South Africa beat Australia by five wickets to win the World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord’s. It was a victory that wiped away painful memories and gave South African fans a reason to celebrate.
A Team Many Didn’t Believe In
South Africa’s journey to the final was doubted by many. Critics pointed out that they didn’t face top teams like Australia or England during the two-year WTC cycle. They also drew 1-1 with India at home and were crushed by them in Cape Town in just two days. Many believed they had taken an easy route to the final by playing shorter two-Test series.
But the Proteas came into the final with seven consecutive Test wins and a well-rounded team led by a true fighter — Temba Bavuma.
Temba Bavuma: A Captain of Steel
Bavuma, often underestimated or misjudged, proved to be a leader in every sense. He scored 711 runs in 8 matches during the WTC cycle, including two centuries. In the final at Lord’s, he showed incredible courage. After injuring his hamstring early in the second innings, Bavuma could have easily retired hurt. But he stayed on the field, in visible pain, and scored 66 valuable runs in over three hours — mostly on one leg.
His partnership with Aiden Markram, who scored a match-winning 136, added 147 runs and gave South Africa the belief they needed to chase down the target. Despite limping and struggling to run, Bavuma never gave up.
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A Historic Win for the Proteas
South Africa had not won a major ICC trophy since the 1998 Champions Trophy. Since then, they had suffered 15 heartbreaking knockouts, including two quarterfinals, 12 semifinals, and a recent final loss in the 2024 T20 World Cup against India. That loss, where they failed to chase 30 runs with six wickets in hand, left fans shattered.
But this Test win changed everything. It showed the team’s strength, belief, and the ability to rise from past failures. Cricket may not be the top sport in South Africa, but this victory proved the country has world-class talent and determination.
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Bavuma: From Symbol to Legend
Once seen mainly as a symbol of change — the first black African batter in South Africa’s Test team — Temba Bavuma is now a national cricketing legend. Despite a career average of just 38.22 in 64 Tests, his leadership, bravery, and never-say-die attitude in the WTC final have placed him among the greats.
His impact was clear in the emotional reactions of South African cricket legends like Shaun Pollock, Graeme Smith, and AB de Villiers, who were all present at Lord’s. For them, and for the nation, this win meant everything. And at the center of it all stood Bavuma — a captain who led through pain, pressure, and sheer willpower.
