WTC Final: South Africa Break ICC Trophy Jinx With Five-Wicket Win Over Australia

South Africa finally won their first ICC trophy since 1998 as the Proteas defeated Australia in the final of the World Test Championship 2025 at the Lord's on Saturday, the fourth day of the match.

Aiden Markram hit one of his finest Test hundreds to set up South Africa's successful chase of 282 as the Proteas scaled the target with five wickets in hand. Markram was dismissed for 136 when just six runs were needed for win. Wicket-keeper batter Kyle Verreynne then hit the winning runs for the Proteas.

The day started on a stressed note for both the teams as Australia bowled tightly even though they did not have much to defend. South Africa captain Temba Bavuma (66) was dismissed early by Pat Cummins and Tristan Stubbs (8) too could not do much as was clean bowled by Mitchell Starc.

However, David Bedingham (21*) joined Markram after the fall of the fourth wicket and the duo eased the nerves. When Markram fell to Hazlewood, the game was already sealed.

Earlier, Kagiso Rabada's five-wicket haul had helped South Africa bowl out Australia for only 212. However, Cummins took six South African wickets to guide the defending champions to a crucial 74-run lead in the first innings.

Rabada and Ngidi then reduced Australia to 77/7 in the second innings to revive South Africa's hopes before a lower fightback helped the Aussies post a 282-run target for the Proteas. As the pitch eased out for batting, the target was just not enough and South Africa finally managed to be on the right side of the result in a world championship final.

Markram was adjudged the Player of the Match for his 136 that came off 207 balls with 14 fours.

This is now South Africa's first world title in any format and their first ICC title since the 1998 Knockout Trophy triumph. They are now the third winner of the World Test Championship after New Zealand (2021) and Australia (2023).