South Africa Wins WTC Final, Ends 27-Year ICC Title Drought

South Africa claimed their first ICC trophy in 27 years with a five-wicket win over Australia in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s, successfully chasing down 282 on Saturday, June 14th.

The match concluded before lunch on the final day, with wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne sealing the victory. The result ended South Africa’s long wait for a global title, their first since the 1998 Champions Trophy and capped a dominant eight-match winning streak in Test cricket.

Aiden Markram hit 136, and Temba Bavuma added 66 in a 143-run stand on Friday that set up the chase. Both were dismissed early on the final day, but their partnership had already done the job. Verreynne sealed the five-wicket win with a drive through the covers.

After the match, Bavuma said the final moments were tense and unpredictable. He expressed pride in the win, calling it a meaningful achievement for the country and saying he hopes it will inspire others.

Australia, despite early pressure and strategic use of the second new ball, were unable to shift the momentum. Their bowlers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood among them found breakthroughs but couldn’t contain South Africa’s measured approach.

Spinner Keshav Maharaj highlighted the symbolic nature of the victory, calling it a statement of progress for South African cricket. The win has sparked renewed interest in red-ball cricket at home, with calls for more frequent Test matches.

Currently, South Africa’s next scheduled Test series isn’t until 2026. Players and analysts are urging Cricket South Africa and the ICC to expand the country’s fixture list to capitalize on this momentum.

The win at Lord’s is being hailed as a defining moment not just for the team, but for South Africa’s place in the global Test arena.