How the world reacted to South Africa's WTC25 Final Triumph
The cricket world was abuzz as Temba Bavuma's South Africa finally tasted deserved ICC tournament success.
It was the stuff of fairytales in London on Saturday as South Africa sealed World Test Championship Final victory, ending a 27-year ICC trophy hoodoo, and overcoming modern Goliaths Australia to lift the famous mace.
South Africa beat Australia to seize the Ultimate Test | Full Match Highlights | WTC25 Final
Watch the full match highlights as Aiden Markram and Kagiso Rabada led the way as South Africa bested the defending champions Australia to clinch the World Test Championship mace at Lord's.
And the billions in the cricket world, whose eyes were watching near and afar, paid tribute to Temba Bavuma and the Proteas in droves.
South Africa lift the World Test Championship mace | WTC25 Final
Skipper Temba Bavuma lifts the coveted ICC World Test Championship mace as South Africa are crowned winners at Lord's.
Social media was filled with adulation and congratulations, and it was the who's who of the game that led the praise.
ICC Hall of Famer AB de Villiers had soaked in the moment from the stands as a fan, leading the tributes on X upon the victory.
Congratulations @ProteasMenCSA
— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) June 14, 2025
Fantastic win and so well played! Hats off to Markram for that match winning century, and Temba for leading with such ice and fire all through👏🏻🏆
What an incredible experience of watching this beautiful format of the game! The built up drama,… pic.twitter.com/NVBR3apmKo
Another champion of the game, and another Hall of Famer, Sachin Tendulkar, continued for batters Aiden Markram and Bavuma, who rode out a "storm" in the Ultimate Test.
Test cricket continues to weave its magic.
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) June 14, 2025
In a final where every session had its own story, @ProteasMenCSA 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…
It proved to be a moment of pride for former England fast bowler and commentator Stuart Broad, who came into the Proteas setup as a consultant ahead of the match - a move that proved to be a masterstroke as the quicks claimed 17 of the 20 wickets.
South Africa! 🇿🇦
— Stuart Broad (@StuartBroad8) June 14, 2025
Congratulations. Very happy for you all 🙌🏏
Springboks captain Siya Kolisi, who keeps close ties to several of the South African cricketers, is no stranger to World Cup sucess having won two Rugby World Cups.
The loose forward knew exactly what to say when on a call with the Proteas in the dressing room straight after the win.
Former Proteas captain Faf du Plessis was overjoyed by the first thing he saw on his phone waking up in the USA.
Wow amazing to wake up to the Proteas winning the test championship final. Well done @TembaBavuma and the team for an incredible win . So radiculous proud !!!🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/iO5KBb6N43
— Faf Du Plessis (@faf1307) June 14, 2025
India legend Yuvraj Singh hailed the Proteas' resilience and character in the Lord's battle.
The class of 2025 ends a 27-year wait and lifts the ICC World Test Championship Trophy in style! Huge congrats to the @ProteasMenCSA on a historic win at Lord’s. I’ve always believed there’s no greater measure of resilience and character than Test cricket and South Africa rose to…
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) June 14, 2025
Proteas celebrate World Test Championship triumph at Lord's | WTC25 Final
South Africa players all smiles as they pose with the World Test Championship mace after sealing off a special win at Lord's.
Having witnessed the history from the media centre, Ian Bishop provided his usual poise in the throes of cricketing drama.
One of the most phenomenally responsible, nerveless 4th innings centuries in the game from Aiden Markram. Fitting that the former ICCU19World Cup winning captain & (K G Rabada) helps guide Temba Bavuma’s team to the 🌈 Nation’s greatest cricketing moment. ICC WTC Champs 2025.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) June 14, 2025
An emotional Keshav Maharaj pays tribute to SA | WTC25 Final
Overwhelmed with emotions, Keshav Maharaj opens up on a historic triumph for South Africa at Lord's.
Having presented the trophy, ICC Chair Jay Shah reiterated his congratulations, and thanked hosts Lord's for hosting the Ultimate Test.
Congratulations to @ProteasMenCSA on winning the @ICC World Test Championship! And a performance for the ages from @aramco Player of the Match Aiden Markram.
— Jay Shah (@JayShah) June 14, 2025
The @HomeOfCricket Lord’s was a fantastic venue, and the huge crowds every day once again showed the interest in Test… pic.twitter.com/arGKCZHAKx
Every Kagiso Rabada wicket from WTC25 Final
All nine wickets from Kagiso Rabada in the World Test Championship Final 2025 at Lord's
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