South Africa has claimed its first big ICC title in 27 years, beating Australia by five wickets in an edge-of-the-seat World Test Championship (WTC) final. The highly anticipated win arrived on the back of a majestic century from Aiden Markram, who led from the front with unparalleled composure and resolve.
Pursuing a target of 314 on a nail-biting final day, South Africa displayed grit under pressure, and Markram’s 134 was the cornerstone of the innings. His stand with Temba Bavuma and a late recovery by the lower order helped the Proteas stay calm in front of a full Oval stadium in London.
This is South Africa’s first ICC success since the 1998 Champions Trophy, ending a prolonged run of near misses and heartbreaks on international cricket occasions. The journey of the team through the WTC cycle, established on consistency, tough pace bowling, and a well-balanced batting order, ended in deservedly claiming the championship title.
Fans and ex-cricketers praised the performance as a game-changer for South African cricket, with hopes high that the win will bring the next generation of Proteas stars running. For team skipper Dean Elgar and coach Shukri Conrad, the title is not just silverware — it’s a redemption and legacy.
