As South Africa gear up to face Australia in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final, starting June 11 at Lord’s, pacer Lungi Ngidi has expressed how much this match means, not just to him personally, but to the future of cricket in his country.
For South Africa, the WTC final presents a chance to end their hunt for an ICC title. They have come close, too close, sometimes, in recent ICC tournaments, only to fall short in the end. They reached the semi-final of the 2023 ODI World Cup. Then they lost the final of the T20 World Cup 2024 to India. They were also one of the semi-finalists of the Champions Trophy 2025.
But this time, there is a sense of purpose around the squad. And Lungi Ngidi, who is back in the mix and raring to go, is not hiding what this game means to him and his country.
Also read: South Africa vs Australia Match Preview & Where to Watch Live? WTC 2025 Final
"I Think It Could Change the Landscape of Cricket in South Africa" - Lungi Ngidi’s Big Statement Before WTC Final
South Africa have not contested a global final in the longest format since the days the WTC structure was introduced. With the final being played at the Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, emotions are high within the camp.
Ngidi, who is expected to play a crucial role with the ball in the summit clash, has shared some heartfelt thoughts on the magnitude of the occasion.
"I don't think I can put it into words, to be honest. We've come close over the last couple of years now with other different tournaments. For me, this is the ultimate form of cricket, and to be able to bring this back home would be a dream come true. I don't want to jinx anything, but it would be awesome. I think it could change the landscape of cricket in South Africa and just bring that focus back to red-ball cricket," Ngidi said as quoted to the ICC Digital.
Ngidi has played at Lord’s before. In 2022, he bowled in South Africa’s famous win over England at the venue. But a WTC final is a different kind of pressure. Still, he feels better prepared now, both mentally and physically.
"I feel very ready as I have had a lot of time to prepare for this. It's any cricketer's dream to play at Lord's. I've been blessed with the opportunity before, playing England at Lord's, and that was quite something for me with the nerves and the excitement. But coming back this time around, the nerves are a lot more settled. There is obviously a big title on the line, but the beautiful thing about Test cricket is the process pretty much remains the same, and having that consistency helps me relax as a player," he added.
As the Proteas chase what could be their first major ICC title since the Champions Trophy in 1998, Ngidi's words perfectly capture the stakes. Apart from creating their legacy, it is also about leading a red-ball revival in a country where a T20 league has increasingly taken centre stage recently due to its commercial benefits.
South Africa’s Road to WTC Final
South Africa played 12 matches in the WTC 2023-25 cycle. They finished at the top of the points table with 69.44 points percentage and earned seven consecutive wins leading up to the final.
The Temba Bavuma-led side won the series versus the West Indies, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. They drew the series 1-1 against India. The only series that they lost was versus New Zealand away from home.
