Aiden Markram’s heroic century led the Proteas to a record-breaking five-wicket win over Australia in the World Test Championship final.
South Africa made history at Lord’s as Aiden Markram’s stunning century guided the Proteas to a five-wicket victory over Australia in the 2025 ICC World Test Championship final.
Chasing a tough target of 282, South Africa overcame nerves, pressure, and history to claim their first-ever major global cricket trophy.
On a bright Saturday morning in London, the Proteas finally ended decades of heartbreak with a composed and clinical run chase, powered by individual brilliance.
The Proteas, often overshadowed in global tournaments, showed mental strength and execution that eluded many past generations of their cricketers.
In finally crossing the line, they rewrote their legacy with a performance that will live long in South African sporting history.
Markram Leads from the Front in Record Chase
South Africa began Day 4 needing 120 runs to win the World Test Championship final at a sunny Lord’s on Saturday.
Aiden Markram resumed on 106 not out and looked composed from the outset, continuing his classy innings with confident stroke-play.
Captain Temba Bavuma, overnight on 44, added just one run before edging Pat Cummins behind, ending a crucial 147-run stand. The early loss didn’t shake the Proteas, who still had control of a placid Lord’s pitch offering little help to bowlers on day four.
Markram took advantage of the conditions, cutting Cummins for four before pulling another boundary to bring the target below 50.
Australia Fight Back with Late Strikes
Cummins rotated his bowlers, bringing on Nathan Lyon in search of turn, but the pitch offered no demons on Day 4. Mitchell Starc produced a moment of brilliance, bowling Tristan Stubbs for eight with a delivery that cut in viciously.
Australia had used all three of their reviews earlier, removing any DRS safety net with the game hanging in the balance. They took the second new ball at 268-4, still needing 14 runs, hoping Hazlewood or Starc could spark a miracle.
Hazlewood’s first two deliveries went for four and three, respectively, reducing the target to just seven runs for the Proteas.
Markram Falls Just Short, but Proteas Hold Nerve
Markram’s incredible innings ended on 136 when he pulled Hazlewood and found Travis Head at midwicket, who took a brilliant catch. He walked off to thunderous applause from a pro-South African crowd, receiving handshakes from Australia’s fielders in a show of respect.
The opening batsman faced 207 balls and struck 14 boundaries, anchoring the Proteas’ second-highest successful run chase at Lord’s in Test history.
Kyle Verreynne stayed calm and drove the Proteas home, hitting the winning run as Lord’s erupted in celebration for the men in green.
The moment ended South Africa’s 30-year wait for a major ICC trophy across formats, finally shedding their “chokers” tag.
Rabada Shines in Match of Milestones
While Markram stole headlines with the bat, Kagiso Rabada’s nine wickets were equally vital to South Africa’s historic Test victory. He led the bowling attack with fire and accuracy, unsettling Australia’s batters across both innings and setting the tone early.
Rabada’s match figures of 9-110 earned him praise as he outshone world-class opposition on one of cricket’s grandest stages.
