The best thing about time is that it changes. On June 14, under the bright London sky, South Africa rewrote their cricketing destiny -- lifting their first ICC trophy in 27 years by defeating defending champions Australia by five wickets in the ICC World Test Championship 2025 Final at Lord’s. And, it wasn’t just the players on the pitch. From past legends to fans around the globe, the cricketing world soaked in the moment of Proteas victory. Here’s a look at who said what after the WTC final match:
What They Said After South Africa's ICC World Test Championship Win?
"The energy was there, we have been wanting this as a team, we have been knocking on the door, we have gone through the heartache, the disappointments, seen it with the past players and the sun is on us", said the South Africa captain Temba Bavuma, who is still unbeaten as a Test captain playing 10 matches.
Test cricket is known as the purest form of the game for a reason. It challenges players across two innings, testing their skill, resilience, and character in the first and giving a second chance to improve in the second. Take Aiden Markram, for example -- dismissed for a duck in the first innings, but came back in the second to play one of the most important knocks in South African cricket history: a sublime 137 that earned him the Player of the Match award.
"Weird how things work out if you get a duck in the first innings and you come into the second innings, quite a few concerns. Ultimately you need a bit of luck here and there, spent some time in the middle and find runs, grateful things worked out quite nicely," said Markram after the match.
Australia's captain, Pat Cummins, delivered a strong individual performance -- claiming six wickets in the first innings and one more in the second -- but it still wasn’t enough to retain the title. However, he was quick to acknowledge the brilliance of Aiden Markram’s match-defining century.
“Aiden was fantastic,” Cummins said.
Despite the loss, the Aussie skipper was full of praise for the contest and South Africa’s grit. “South Africa were deserved champions, kept themselves in the game and pounced on the opportunity. I love Test cricket, it is the pinnacle. It is a fantastic kind of spectacle.”
One of the biggest reasons behind South Africa’s victory in the WTC Final 2025 was also Kagiso Rabada. The pace spearhead delivered when it mattered most -- taking a fifer to skittle Australia for just 212 in the first innings, followed by four more wickets in the second to restrict them to 202.
After the match, Rabada was too overwhelmed, struggling to fully capture the moment in words he was “Extremely happy. Throughout the entire season, we have planned really well, we have worked really hard and I think we deserve to get into this position,” he said.
How The World Reacts?
The entire Lord’s crowd erupted in joy as South Africa sealed their long-awaited ICC trophy, and the celebration wasn’t confined to just the players or fans at the ground. The cricketing world joined in -- and among them was Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar, who called it nothing short of “the magic of Test cricket.”
He applauded the leadership of Temba Bavuma and the unforgettable innings from Aiden Markram, writing on his official X account:
“In a final where every session had its own story, Proteas found calm in the storm. Markram’s composure and Bavuma’s grit under pressure stood tall in the fourth innings. A century that will be remembered, a partnership that turned hope into history. Congratulations to South Africa on becoming World Test Champions!”
Morever, who else but Mr. 360 to say it from the heart?
“Go Proteas!”
AB de Villiers who watched the game from the stands quoted on his X account, “What an incredible experience of watching this beautiful format of the game! The built up drama, the slow anticipation, and the sweet victory to end it all were moments to savour.. and to experience that with my two boys thrilled and on their toes — couldn’t have imagined it better than this.”
The former England star Kevin Pietersen called Markram’s innings what many were thinking, “Probably the best innings any South African batter has ever played in Test match cricket. It might not go down as the most attacking or entertaining if you look back at South Africa’s Test history -- but when you factor in the expectation, the stage, and the pressure after failing in the first innings, it was extraordinary.”
The Jamaican legend didn’t hold back either. “Masterful Markram! Great win by South Africa led by Temba Bavuma. This was a great ad for test cricket. Congratulations to ICC World Test Champions South Africa!" said Chris Gayle.
From Sri Lanka, the great Kumar Sangakkara summed it up beautifully,
“Bosh and Boom What a win for Proteas. They have out skilled and out wanted the Australians. tremendously led by Temba Bavuma. They’re a team that shows how powerful purpose, passion and belief are in shaping the path to a trophy. A glorious day for South Africa.”
This was more than just a win for South Africa. It was a release of decades of pain, near-misses, and labels. From 1999 to 2015 to all the in-betweens -- South Africa now finally have a World Test Championship title to their name. Their first ICC crown since 1998 (Knockout Trophy), having played a total of five of ICC senior tournament finals.
