“Un-freaking-believable”: South Africa sum up WTC25 win

It doesn’t get much better than this.

Having fallen at the final hurdle on numerous occasions since their ICC Knockout Trophy win in 1998, this wasn’t just a win for the playing group, but for a whole nation.

That was certainly the theme, as players shared their immediate thoughts having just beaten Australia at Lord’s to claim a maiden World Test Championship and their first piece of ICC silverware in 27 years.

What the Proteas players said in the immediate aftermath of their famous World Test Championship Final victory:

Temba Bavuma, mace-winning captain:

“It’s been a special couple of days. At some point, it felt like we were back in South Africa, with all the support in the stands.

"We’ve prepared hard for this, we’ve worked hard for this moment. We came here with a lot of belief, also a lot of doubters, and we were able to play well enough to get that type of result.

"(It's) a special moment for us and as a team, a special moment for the people back home. Probably, it’ll really sink in in a couple of days. Year, it’s been special.

"We’ve been knocking at that door, being relentless, getting ourselves into positions where we can be in finals. We’ve gone through the heartache, we’ve gone through the disappointment, seeing it with past players who have come before us. The sun is on us at the moment, that responsibility, we’ve been carrying it, and hopefully this is one of many.”

Aiden Markram, Player of the Match:

“It’s weird how things work out. You get a duck in the first innings and you come into the second innings with quite a few concerns. Ultimately, you need a bit of luck here and there, spent some time in the middle and found some runs and just really grateful it worked out nicely.

“Lord’s is the place every Test cricketer wants to play. The play in a Final here is incredibly special and then, with all the members here, but also plenty of South African fans have made the trip and plenty at home as well that have supported us through, it was one of the most special days.”

Kyle Verreynne, after hitting the winning runs:

"I’m just relieved. I was sitting there, watching the morning session, thinking, ‘please, I don’t want to go bat, I don’t want to go bat.’ Obviously, Aidan did beautifully, but when I walked out to the middle, it’s probably the most nervous I’ve been.

"Had my partner with me, managed to get over the line. Incredible. It means a lot. I mean, you can listen to the whole ground singing, we were on our way back to the hotel last night and you see the guys in the streets singing songs. It’s incredible.

"I’ll probably get a bit emotional now, because we’ve had a bit of a tough time as South African cricketers. It’s incredible."

David Bedingham, who was at the crease with Verreynne as South Africa completed their World Test Championship win:

"I think the way that Aiden (Markram) and Temba (Bavuma) went about it, it made us calm. I didn’t feel calm going into the innings, but just thank goodness we got over the line.

"Obviously we got lucky with the conditions, but we’ll take it. I’m so thankful we got over the line and I’m so thankful for everyone watching here and back home, obviously."

Marco Jansen, who was next into bat:

"In the change room, there were a lot of nerves. A lot of guys quiet, myself included, but to have the fans here, to hear them cheer us on, every single ball, every single run, you can’t ask for anything more. Families are here as well, we’re just so happy we could do it.

"(Markram was) un-freaking-believable. What a player, what a guy to have on your team. He’s a fighter. Temba, both of them, fighted tooth and nail.

"I think that’s what dreams are made of. Dreams are meant to be achieved."

Kagiso Rabada, one of the Proteas pivotal performers (9 wickets for the match):

"I can’t describe into words how I feel at the moment, just extremely happy. Throughout that entire season, I think, we planned really well, we worked really hard, and I think we deserved to get into this position.

"There were people saying that we weren’t good enough opposition, but I think that’s rubbish. We came here, we played the best team and I think Australia have been magnificent all season and we had to be on our A-game to beat them.

"Thank you for your support… these last four days felt like a home game, so thank you, guys, for turning out."

Keshav Maharaj, who provided a very moving account of what the win means for South Africa:

"It’s special. I think, tears probably describe what we feel right now. It’s just such a privilege and honour to lift the coveted title and be a part of it. For everyone out here, and everyone back home, it’s super special for us and the boys.

"It’s just what our country’s about, to see the unity over the last five days and throughout the season, it’s super special and we’re very grateful, as a team, as a nation and as our proud country.

"Without the crowd here today, we probably wouldn’t be in this position over the last four days, so we’re very grateful and thankful to everyone that’s here and from abroad that’s supporting us. Thank you.

"Through adversity, we’ve stood strong as a team and here we are today, to raise a trophy that’s alluded us for a number of years, but we honour those before us, to those that are here and to those that have come, we love you, we appreciate you and continue to keep supporting us, we’re doing good things as a team, and as a country, and may this just be the stepping stone of greater things to come."

Opener Ryan Rickleton:

“Walking out on the fourth innings chasing 280, in a Final, was always going to be pressurised. I was a bit nervous, but at the same time, we knew the wicket was starting to look a bit better and we could try and advance and play some shots. So, I think the guys batted incredibly well, hats off to Aiden, it’s one of the greatest innings I think I’ve ever seen. The magnitude of the occasion, how he handled the pressure and the way he transferred it back into such an experienced attack as well was something special.”

Lungi Ngidi, who was still on a high from his devastating second innings spell:

"I’m speechless right now… I’ve got no words for how I fell, to be honest. I’m very proud of what the boys have achieved today. It’s been a long journey, it’s been a lot of hard work as well, the blood pressure’s really high right now, but mostly I’m just really proud of what the boys have managed to achieve today."