South Africa will be up against Australia in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final on June 11 to 15 in the Lord's Cricket Stadium. One has a history to be etched, while the other team is known to always have their name in the cricketing history. It's David versus Goliath, but this time, the onus will be more on Australia to defend the WTC Trophy as they go into this summit clash as overwhelming favorites.
Man to Man, and experience wise, the Aussies are capable in every aspect. Their three superstar pacers - Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood are the best pace trio, while Steven Smith is arguably the best Test batter of the modern era. With so much quality, Australia should have a massive advantage. However, South Africa, with a fairly inexperienced side, enter this contest on the back of seven wins. While their batting attack may come across as a bit short on firepower, their bowling attack is right up there as the best in the world.
In Kagiso Rabada, they have a world-class operator, in Keshav Maharaj, they have a quality off-spinner who can keep things tight and take wickets regularly. In Marco Jansen, they have a very high-skilled left-arm bowler.
It has been a year of unexpected winners so far in 2025, South Africa can surely take inspiration from that and try to play with as much freedom as possible against the WTC defending champion Australia. Ahead of the summit clash, here at Criczop, let's look at South Africa's predicted XI for the title clash.
South Africa Predicted Playing XI against Australia WTC Final
Openers - Aiden Markarm & Ryan Rickelton
Proteas head coach Shukri Conrad has said that Ryan Rickelton will open alongside vice-captain Aiden Markram. The southpaw is in red-hot form and has earned the right to slot in the playing XI. The 28-year-old was a late starter in playing XI for South Africa in this WTC cycle. However, in the limited opportunities he has got, Rickelton has grabbed them with both hands and is now eager to make a mark in the WTC final.
Speaking about Markram, he is the second most experienced Test batter in the team behind skipper Temba Bavuma. Markram is in good form, as he was the third-highest run-scorer for LSG in IPL 2025. He scored more than 450 runs and took ownership of LSG's batting lineup. He will be a key batter for Proteas in WTC, as his runs at the top will play a huge role in deciding which way the match will shape.
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Middle Order - Wiaan Mulder, Tristan Stubbs, & Temba Bavuma
Mulder, who played at number three during Proteas home Test series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan last year, could yet again play the same role in the WTC final. He is technically sound and has a cool head on his shoulders. Stubbs will walk in at four. He made his spot his own by scoring a Test century against Sri Lanka last year. The 24-year-old can play aggressively, as well play defensively, according to the situation.
SA's most experienced batter, Bavuma will bat at number five. He is a rich vein of form, as he is their leading run-scorer in the current WTC cycle. His runs will be crucial in SA scoring a huge total with bat in hand.
Lower middle-order - David Bedingham, Kyle Verryane, & Marco Jansen
David Bedingham will be the last specialist batter, walking in at number six. He has a huge amount of experience playing County Cricket in England. Although currently, he is not in form, his County experience could prove to be handy in the crunch WTC Final. Wicketkeeper batter Verryane is in good form and has already scored two hundreds in this WTC cycle. He scores his runs at a brisk clip and puts pressure back on the opposition.
Marco Jansen, at number eight, is a bowling all-rounder. He can counter-punch and score some handy runs lower down the order. He and Rabada put on that crucial 51-run stand for the 10th wicket against Pakistan, which confirmed SA's spot in the WTC final.
Bowlers - Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada & Dane Paterson
The Proteas will opt for only one spinner in the playing XI in Keshav Maharaj. The off-spinner has been Bavuma's got-to-bowler in crucial moments and is expected to play a huge role at the Lod's surface, which will offer a hint of turn. Rabada will be the leader of the attack. With over 300 Test wickets, the right-arm pacer knows how to handle pressure and turn the game on its head.
Also Read:Â WTC Final 2025: AB de Villiers makes massive claim, says South Africa will upset Australia at the Lord's
The last pacer will be Dane Paterson, who has a wealth of experience in English conditions due to County Cricket. The 35-year-old can move the ball both ways and is very meticulous, like Hazlewood. This will also be his last Test match for Proteas, as he already announced his retirement after the WTC Final.
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