Proteas WTC Win: South Africa Cricket Champions | 2024
south Africa has emphatically claimed the cricket trophy, ending a 27-year drought with a stunning victory over Australia! Aiden Markram’s pivotal role, marked by a brilliant innings, spearheaded the Proteas too a five-wicket win in a nail-biting contest. News Directory 3 highlights the historic moment, celebrating South Africa’s second-highest triumphant run chase at Lord’s. The win provides a massive confidence boost for the team’s readiness for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Captain Temba Bavuma celebrated after chasing down Australia’s target. This triumph is a defining moment in South African sports history. Discover what’s next for the Proteas as they look to dominate on home soil!
South Africa Claims Cricket Trophy, Ends 27-Year Drought
Updated June 17, 2025
LONDON—South Africa broke a 27-year major trophy drought Saturday, securing a five-wicket victory against Australia in a hard-fought contest. The Proteas confidently chased down the remaining 69 runs on day four, finishing at 285-5. This marks the second-highest successful run chase in the history of test cricket at Lord’s.
The victory exorcises past ICC stage losses that have haunted South Africa, including infamous defeats in Birmingham, Dhaka, Auckland, Kolkata and Bridgetown. london 2025, however, will be remembered as a defining moment in South African sports history, as the cricket underdogs seized the advantage and held on against a formidable australian team. Aiden Markram’s role proved pivotal in securing the win.
“Whilst we were batting, we could hear the Aussies using that dreaded word, choke,” Proteas captain Temba Bavuma said. “It’s been years sence we’ve overcome a final. We’ve been etched in history, we’re part of something that has never been done. It’s special in a lot of ways.”
this triumph bodes well for South Africa’s preparation for the 2027 ODI World cup on home soil. While the format differs, the Proteas’ mindset will be free from the burden of a major trophy drought, last quenched in 1998.
Australia fought fiercely, relentlessly attacking the stumps. Despite their efforts,including using up all three reviews within the first 90 minutes,they were unable to break South Africa’s resolve.this loss marks only the fourth time in 14 chances that the serial champions have lost an ICC final.
“They were fantastic in that fourth innings,” Australia captain Pat Cummins said. “There wasn’t a lot in the wicket but they didn’t give us a chance.”
The Proteas lost only three wickets Saturday, one being Aiden Markram, who Australia couldn’t dismiss until victory was near. Markram, who resumed the day on 102, was out for 136, having spent six hours and 23 minutes at the crease. his match-winning knock was met with applause from the Lord’s crowd and congratulations from the Australian players.
“growing up, Lord’s was the one venue I wanted to play at,” Markram said. “To do it at a final and win is something really special.”
Kyle Verreynne secured the winning run approximately 15 minutes later.
Markram, along with an injured Bavuma, had set the stage for victory the previous day with an unbeaten 143-run partnership. Bavuma was caught behind off Cummins for 66. Markram was named man of the match, while Kagiso Rabada took nine wickets in the match.
South Africa’s target of 282 was considered a tall order. Though,Markram and Bavuma capitalized on ideal batting conditions on Friday. A turning point occurred when Steve Smith dropped Bavuma in the slips, resulting in a broken finger for Smith, forcing him to leave the match.
Despite facing criticism for an easier path in the 2023-2025 WTC cycle, having avoided series against Australia and England, South Africa has now won eight consecutive tests, its second-longest streak.
What’s next
With the major trophy drought now over, South Africa looks ahead to the 2027 ODI World Cup with renewed confidence and a clear role in mind: to dominate on home soil.