Lord’s, London – South Africa have finally broken their long-standing global title drought, clinching the ICC World Test Championship crown in emphatic fashion with a five-wicket win over Australia at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground.

After years of near-misses and heartbreak, the Proteas held their nerve in a tense fourth-day chase to become the third-ever team to lift the World Test Championship mace—joining New Zealand and Australia in the elite club.

Resuming on 213-2, with just 69 runs needed, South Africa started Saturday knowing history was within reach. Captain Temba Bavuma, who had bravely battled to 66 despite a visible hamstring injury, was dismissed early by his opposite number Pat Cummins, a sharp delivery seaming away into the gloves of Alex Carey.

It was a blow that briefly rattled the nerves of South African fans who had swelled into Lord’s, draped in green and gold, still humming songs of joy from the previous day’s batting masterclass.

When Mitchell Starc breached Tristan Stubbs’ defenses to bowl him through the gate, 41 runs were still needed and the chase hung in the balance once again.

But at the heart of it all stood Aiden Markram.

The South African opener, who was composed under pressure and unflinching in technique, carried the hopes of a nation with a sublime knock of 136. His was the only century of the match, a telling detail in a contest defined by discipline and grit. Markram’s elegant strokeplay—particularly his pulls and drives—offered a masterclass in measured aggression on a challenging surface.

He fell just shy of sealing the victory himself, caught at mid-wicket off Josh Hazlewood with only a few runs left. But by then, the outcome was all but sealed.

David Bedingham and Kyle Verreynne completed the job, with Verreynne stroking the winning single through the covers and raising his arms in triumph. That moment sparked jubilant celebrations in the South African dressing room—and beyond.

For decades, the ‘C-word’—chokers—hung like a cloud over South African cricket. But this victory, achieved with poise, pressure, and a touch of brilliance, has rewritten that script.

This chase, the joint second-highest ever at Lord’s in Test history, underlined South Africa’s new identity under coach Shukri Conrad: mentally tough, strategically sharp, and unafraid of the big moments.

Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada was instrumental throughout the match, collecting 9 wickets (5-51 and 4-59) and dismantling Australia’s batting order across both innings. His partnership with Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj proved decisive in limiting Australia to modest totals of 212 and 207.

Bedingham, who top-scored in the first innings with a gutsy 45, remained calm in the final stretch, and was a vital foil to the ice-veined Markram on the fourth morning.

Despite a few nervous edges and two failed Australian reviews, the Proteas never truly looked like letting this one slip.

This is not just a win for South Africa—it’s a proud moment for African sport.

In a format long dominated by traditional powers, South Africa’s triumph is a reminder of the continent’s deep well of cricketing talent and its capacity to thrive on the world’s biggest stage. It’s a story of perseverance, of resilience, and of rewriting history.

The Proteas have climbed their Everest. And in doing so, they’ve brought home a title their fans have waited generations for.

They are world champions. And this time, it feels like just the beginning.


By WafricNews Desk.