Bavuma announces Proteas XI for WTC Final 2025
South Africa have announced a strong lineup for the much anticipated clash against Australia in the Ultimate Test.
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma has announced the playing XI for the ICC World Test Championship Final against Australia starting on Wednesday.
Bavuma headlines a well-rounded lineup that offers the first-time WTC Finalists multiple options in all departments of the game.
Meanwhile, Australia skipper Pat Cummins also unveiled the playing XI for the defending champions on the eve of the Ultimate Test.
Temba Bavuma and Pat Cummins photoshoot chat before the Lord's clash | WTC Final 2025
BTS from the captains' photoshoot ahead of the WTC25 Final.
Headlining the batting order is Ryan Rickelton, who has been South Africa’s top-scorer in the WTC 2023/25 cycle, alongside Bavuma - not too far behind in the scoring charts, Aiden Markram, and Tristan Stubbs.
A notable decision is to stick with Wiaan Mulder at No.3 after he was used at that position during South Africa's recent Tests against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
"Mulder is quite young in that position. But I think having played with Mulder, having seen him and the way he has grown in the last two years within the red-ball format,” Bavuma said.
“It's about giving him a lot more confidence, keep backing him and just allowing him to do what he does best.
"He has an opportunity in a pressure situation, but I think he can take comfort from the fact that the guys are backing him. We just want him to play his game."
While Keshav Maharaj is the solitary full-time spinner, the bowling lineup also features Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen alongside Lungi Ngidi.
While the Proteas squad also featured Dane Paterson, who had been in fine form during their last Test series against Pakistan, Bavuma explained the reasoning behind opting for Ngidi.
"Probably one of the tougher decisions that has been made. We see what Dane Paterson did for us to the end of last season," Bavuma added.
“But it was more from a tactical point of view. Probably a little bit more pace from Lungi, guess he's a bit taller as well.
"Lungi also has a better record, not taking away anything from Patto. He (Ngidi) has the experience, he's played here before, not that Patto hasn't.
"But I think he (Ngidi) will complement that bowling attack a little more. We have a guy like Mulder, who can give us something similar like Patto.
"It was probably one of the difficult decision we had to make."
Scene set for epic World Test Championship Final
South Africa and Australia are ready to battle it out in the ICC World Test Championship Final at Lord's from June 11 2025
South Africa topped the ICC World Test Championship 2023/25 Standings to book their ticket in the Ultimate Test, swiftly followed by the defending champions.
The two teams will collide in the much-awaited contest starting 11 June at the Lord's Cricket Ground.
South Africa XI: 1. Aiden Markram, 2. Ryan Rickelton, 3. Wiaan Mulder, 4. Temba Bavuma (c), 5. Tristan Stubbs, 6. David Bedingham, 7. Kyle Verreynne (wk), 8. Marco Jansen, 9. Keshav Maharaj, 10. Kagiso Rabada, 11. Lungi Ngidi