South Africa have achieved a landmark victory, defeating Australia in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord’s and, in doing so, appearing to finally shed the unwelcome moniker of professional sport’s biggest ‘chokers’. Chasing a modest target of just 69 runs, the Proteas navigated immense pressure and pointed verbal tactics from their opponents to secure a momentous five-wicket win.
The weight of history was undeniably heavy on the South African side heading into the final day. Even former captain Shaun Pollock, watching from the media centre, confessed to feeling a “slightest tinge of nervousness” despite their dominant position at the close of day three. This feeling was symptomatic of a national cricketing psyche deeply affected by past failures on the biggest stage. Players like opener Aiden Markram reportedly had a restless night before play resumed, struggling to switch off from the pressure.
For years, South Africa’s men’s team has carried the burden of underperforming in crucial knockout matches. In 18 previous one-day international and T20 World Cups, they reached a solitary final and lost 10 out of 12 knockout matches across both formats. While less prominent global wins like the 1998 ICC Knockout Trophy and a Commonwealth Games gold exist, a major ICC trophy had remained elusive.
Facing Down the ‘Choke’ Sledging
Adding another layer of tension, Australia’s players were acutely aware of South Africa’s history and weren’t afraid to use it. As the chase began, their “verbal armoury of salty snipes” aimed to unsettle the Proteas. Captain Temba Bavuma later confirmed hearing the specific taunt.
“Whilst we were batting, we could hear the Aussies using that dreaded word, choke,” Bavuma told BBC Test Match Special.
However, this time was different. South Africa refused to be derailed. They focused on the task at hand, turning the historical pressure and the opposition’s sledging into fuel.
Bavuma highlighted the significance of the moment: “It’s been years since we’ve overcome a final, we’ve been etched in history. Now we’re part of something that has never been done.”
Aiden Markram echoed the sentiment, expressing immense relief. “It would be great to never hear that word [choke] again, that’s for sure,” he said, emphasizing that getting the job done was a “big thing for this team.”
Bavuma’s Pioneering Leadership
This victory carries particular significance through the leadership of Captain Temba Bavuma. More than three decades after South Africa’s return to international cricket, Bavuma stands as a barrier-breaking figure. He is the first black African batter, the first black African to score a Test century, and the first black African captain for the Proteas. With this WTC title, he also becomes the first South African to lift a major ICC men’s trophy, drawing inspiring parallels to Springbok rugby captain Siya Kolisi.
Bavuma is described as a humble and quietly spoken leader off the field, complementing the tactical acumen of Head Coach Shukri Conrad. Together, they have fostered a team built on character, depth, and unity, perhaps lacking the individual ‘stardust’ of some previous South African sides but proving their mettle under pressure.
For Bavuma, the win was about more than just cricket. He saw it as a chance “for South Africa to be united,” to celebrate something together and “put aside our differences.”
Reflections and Future Concerns
For Australia, the defeat prompted reflection. Captain Pat Cummins hinted that the loss could lead to a “reset” and potential team changes ahead of upcoming tours, suggesting their aggressive sledging might have masked their own performance concerns.
Amidst the euphoria for South Africa, a significant challenge looms for the future of Test cricket in the country: a concerning lack of scheduled home men’s matches in the longer format for 2025-26. Aiden Markram passionately defended the primacy of the format, stating, “It’s always been my most important and most favourite format… it’s really important, in my opinion, to keep Test cricket as the number one in South Africa.”
Witnessing the emotional scenes at Lord’s, from Keshav Maharaj’s tears to Bavuma’s beaming smile and the jubilant South African fans, underscores the profound impact of this victory. By ignoring the taunts and performing under immense pressure, South Africa has rewritten its cricketing narrative, moving decisively from a history overshadowed by the ‘choke’ label to becoming World Test Champions.
