South Africa's first captain to win the ICC Trophy in 1998, the late Hansie Cronje, would be smiling in a parallel universe as South Africa etched its name in the history books on Saturday, June 15, by beating the mighty Australia in the ultimate Test - World Test Championship (WTC) Final at the Lord's Stadium. Cronje, still considered South Africa's best captain, was a very tactically shrewd captain and a people's leader just like the current South African captain Temba Bavuma, who ended the country's 27 years of pain, heartbreaks, agony, and chokers tag by winning the second ICC trophy, and first WTC Title in the third edition of WTC 2023-25 Cycle.
That it came against Australia is poetic justice, and at Lord's Stadium is something dreams are made of. Australia has given the Proteas countless heartbreaks, having tied the match in the 1999 World Cup semifinals, the 2007 World Cup Semifinals, and the 2023 ODI World Cup semifinal. However, this time Bavuma & Co. were not playing a semis match, they were playing the Ultimate Test - the WTC Final. It was Test cricket, the most difficult format and one where Australia takes a lot of pride in doing well.
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However, against all odds, and being behind the game on the second day, South Africa found their way, first with the ball in hand through Lungi Ngidi's three-wicket spell, and later through to their two senior batting partners, Aiden Markram and Bavuma. The latter, hobbled all along from the nine runs to 66 runs he scored till he was dismissed. The Protean skipper was extremely resolute throughout the innings and showed his calmness in the 282-run chase. At the other end, vice-captain Markram was playing proper cricketing shots and scored a match-defining 136 runs to anchor the run chase perfectly.
What were the similarities between the 1998 Champions Trophy & WTC 2025 Final Win?
In the 1998 win, all-rounder Jacques Kallis played a starring role with the ball in hand by picking five wickets against a quality West Indies batting lineup. In the WTC 2025 Final, Kagiso Rabada bowled like a true champion and took five wickets in the first innings and another four in the second innings to knock the stuffing out of Australia. In both instances, Kallis and Rabada were spot on with their line and lengths and turned the match on its head with their game-defining spells.
Another similarity between the 1998 win and the WTC 2025 Final win was the calmness and composure shown by both the leaders Cronje and Bavuma. At no moment in the match, the leaders panicked. They were very proactive in thinking and kept ringing in the changes. If Bavuma bought Ngidi at the right time in Australia's second innings, then Cronje also used Kallis brilliantly for his 10 overs.
Beating mighty Australia in the WTC 2025 Final at Lord's to erase the Chokers tag
After the 1998 CT win, South Africa was destined to win another World Cup, this time the 1999 edition WC played in London. They were close to beating the mighty Aussies as Lance Klusner brought the equation down to 1 required of five balls at the Edgbaston semi-final game. However, a brain fade moment occurred as Allan Donald was run out at the striker's end, and the match ended in a tie. Australia qualified for the finals on account of a win in the Super-Six game against South Africa. The Steve Waugh-led Aussies met Pakistan in the finals in 1999 and won their second WC after winning the first in 1987 by a stroke of luck.
Also Read: WTC Finals 2025: Steve Smith’s Participation in West Indies Tour Uncertain
In the WTC 2025 Final, not many people gave South Africa a chance to win the final, considering Australia's impeccable record in the knockouts, as they had won 10 finals in 14 matches. Also, South Africa was criticized for reaching the WTC Final by beating the easier teams - West Indies, Sri Lanka & Pakistan. However, quietly South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad and skipper Bavuma were confident in the team beating the mighty Pat Cummins-led Australia.
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The Proteas came to the WTC Final on account of seven consecutive wins. They had never lost a match under Bavuma's leadership of eight games. Conrad believed in all the players and instilled belief in them to never give up and fight till the end. The Proteas fought hard and never allowed Australia to dominate. Several players stepped up in crucial moments of the game as they out bowled, out batted, and outsmarted Australia.
The wounds of the 1999 heartbreak finally healed for South Africa's yesteryear players and for a nation, who were passionately behind them. Keshav Maharaj aptly summed up the magnitude of South Africa's win by saying, "May this win be the stepping stone of greater things to come." South Africa has now got over the line in the ultimate stage by beating a top team, and they would be hoping this is the start of many more trophies to come.
