The cricket world was abuzz as Temba Bavuma’s South Africa finally tasted deserved ICC tournament success.
It was the stuff of fairytales in London on Saturday as South Africa sealed World Test Championship Final victory, ending a 27-year ICC trophy hoodoo, and overcoming modern Goliaths Australia to lift the famous mace.
South Africa beat Australia to seize the Ultimate Test | Full Match Highlights | WTC25 Final
Watch the full match highlights as Aiden Markram and Kagiso Rabada led the way as South Africa bested the defending champions Australia to clinch the World Test Championship mace at Lord’s.
And the billions in the cricket world, whose eyes were watching near and afar, paid tribute to Temba Bavuma and the Proteas in droves.
South Africa lift the World Test Championship mace | WTC25 Final
Skipper Temba Bavuma lifts the coveted ICC World Test Championship mace as South Africa are crowned winners at Lord’s.
Social media was filled with adulation and congratulations, and it was the who’s who of the game that led the praise.
ICC Hall of Famer AB de Villiers had soaked in the moment from the stands as a fan, leading the tributes on X upon the victory.
Congratulations @ProteasMenCSA
Fantastic win and so well played! Hats off to Markram for that match winning century, and Temba for leading with such ice and fire all through👏🏻🏆What an incredible experience of watching this beautiful format of the game! The built up drama,… pic.twitter.com/NVBR3apmKo
— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) June 14, 2025
Another champion of the game, and another Hall of Famer, Sachin Tendulkar, continued for batters Aiden Markram and Bavuma, who rode out a “storm” in the Ultimate Test.
Springboks captain Siya Kolisi, who keeps close ties to several of the South African cricketers, is no stranger to World Cup sucess having won two Rugby World Cups.
The loose forward knew exactly what to say when on a call with the Proteas in the dressing room straight after the win.
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Former Proteas captain Faf du Plessis was overjoyed by the first thing he saw on his phone waking up in the USA.
Wow amazing to wake up to the Proteas winning the test championship final. Well done @TembaBavuma and the team for an incredible win . So radiculous proud !!!🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/iO5KBb6N43
— Faf Du Plessis (@faf1307) June 14, 2025
India legend Yuvraj Singh hailed the Proteas’ resilience and character in the Lord’s battle.
Having witnessed the history from the media centre, Ian Bishop provided his usual poise in the throes of cricketing drama.
