The Proteas will have another opportunity to claim an International Cricket Council (ICC) trophy when it competes against Australia in the 2025 ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London from June 11 to 15. This match will mark South Africa's first appearance in a WTC final, while Australia will aim to defend its title after winning the previous edition in 2023.
To find out more about the Proteas’ chances of finally bringing a trophy home, check out our preview below:
Road to the Final
South Africa
At the start of the cycle for the 2025 ICC World Test Championship, expectations of the Proteas' chances were low among both supporters and cricket pundits, for a number of reasons. The team had performed poorly in the two previous tournaments, had numerous inexperienced players and an unreliable batting lineup. Further handicapping the team, the Proteas have suffered from a paucity of test fixtures in the last 5 years, playing far less than teams such as England, India and Australia.
Despite these challenges and despite sending an extremely weakened team for a two-test match series in New Zealand due to the fixture clashing with the SA20 tournament, the Proteas managed to reach the final and ultimately won seven matches consecutively.
After drawing its 2-test match series to India at home, the Proteas lost 2-0 to New Zealand in the aforementioned series. From that point, it seemed unlikely that the team would qualify for the final, but it won every series after that and comfortably qualified for the final at the top of the WTC table.
This run included a 1-0 series win away against the West Indies, a 2-0 series win away against Bangladesh, a 2-0 series win at home against Sri Lanka, and a 2-0 home series win against Pakistan .
The Proteas secured its spot in the final with a dramatic two-wicket victory over Pakistan in Centurioni the 1st test. . Chasing 148, the team was precariously placed at 99 for eight before an unbeaten 51-run partnership between Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada clinched the win.
This victory extended their winning streak to six consecutive Tests, finishing the WTC cycle with a points percentage of 66.67% .
Australia
Australia’s journey to its 2nd consecutive WTC final began with a 2-2 draw in the Ashes in England, followed by a 3-0 whitewash over Pakistan at home, a 1-1 series draw at home against the West Indies, a 2-0 series win away from home against New Zealand, and a 3-1 home series win against India. The Aussies confirmed its place in the final when it defeated India in the fifth Test of the Border-Gavaskar series in Sydney, and followed that with a 2-0 away series win against Sri Lanka. Australia ultimately finished 2nd on the WTC table, with a points percentage of 63.73%.
South Africa Profile
Squad
Temba Bavuma (captain), David Bedingham , Corbin Bosch, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi , Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs. Kyle Verreynne
Strong Bowling Attack
The Proteas have always produced great fast bowlers, and while the current strength in the team largely resides with its pacemen, the team also has a world-class spinner in left-arm tweaker Keshav Maharaj. The pace attack is led by Kagiso Rabada, who is 2nd in the ICC bowling rankings, while further variety is offered by the tall left-arm pace bowler, Marco Jansen. Seamers such as Dane Paterson and Lungi Ngidi could offer further control and potentially exploit English conditions.
The team’s greatest strength resides in the character it has shown in recent times, with the 1st test win against Pakistan a prime example of displaying tenacity and temperament under severe pressure. The team will hope to demonstrate this same fighting spirit in the final.
Improving But Inexperienced Batters
The Proteas batsmen achieved one of their best seasons in years in 2024, with several batsmen scoring their first centuries. However, only captain Temba Bavuma averaged above 40, and the inexperience and inconsistency of the South African batsmen will be a concern heading into the final. Should there be a lot of seam movement or swing at Lord’s, the Proteas could be exposed.
Australia Profile
Squad
Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith (vc), Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster. Travelling reserve: Brendan Doggett.
All-round strength
The Australians boast a well-rounded and experienced side, with formidable batsmen and a varied and dangerous attack. The experienced batting line-up is headlined by Steve Smith, who averages 56.7 in test cricket, as well as other batsmen that average above 40, including Usman Khawaja, Travis Head and South African-born Marnus Labuschagne. Further to these powerful and attacking batsmen, Australia’s highly experienced pace attack provides depth and variety. It includes captain Pat Cummins, left-arm paceman Mitchell Starc, and seamer Josh Hazlewood, Off-spinner Nathan Lyon, who has over 400 test wickets, offers a further threat in spin-friendly conditions.
Points of Weakness
There are certain areas in the team that are less settled. Since David Warner’s retirement, the Aussies have been looking for a suitable replacement, and while Sam Kostas has shown promise, he has not yet proven himself as a reliable opener. Further, injury issues have prevented star all-rounder Cameron Green from playing a lot, and replacement Mitchell Marsh has not yet lived up to Green’s recent performances.
Verdict
The final at Lord's promises to be a classic contest between Australia and South Africa, who have a long history of fierce contests. While Australia's seasoned campaigners and balanced squad give them a slight edge, South Africa is bolstered by a younger team, real momentum, and a hunger for its first ICC title that cannot be underestimated. The outcome may hinge on key individual performances and the ability to adapt to match conditions.
With a record prize pool at stake—$3.6 million for the winners and $2.1 million for the runners-up —both teams have significant motivation to claim the 2025 WTC.