South Africa’s cricket team finally ended their long wait for an ICC trophy, clinching the World Test Championship title at Lord’s in June 2025. After falling behind in the series against India and then New Zealand in the 2021-23 cycle, the Proteas delivered when it mattered most, outplaying Australia across four days of high-pressure cricket. The match swung dramatically across both innings, with South Africa ultimately chasing down a target to win by five wickets and claim their maiden WTC title.

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Result: South Africa won by 5 wickets ·
Venue: Lord’s, London ·
Match: ICC World Test Championship Final ·
Date: 11–14 June 2025

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • South Africa won by 5 wickets at Lord’s (Sky Sports)
  • Aiden Markram named Player of the Match (Wikipedia)
  • Kagiso Rabada took 5/51 in Australia’s 1st innings (Wikipedia)
2What’s unclear
  • Complete South Africa 2nd innings batting card not fully confirmed in all sources
  • Australia 2nd innings individual scores require verification from match reports
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • South Africa collect US$3.6 million in prize money as winners (Wikipedia)
  • Australia settle for US$2.1 million as runners-up (Wikipedia)

The scorecard reflects South Africa’s dominance in the run chase despite Australia’s competitive totals across both innings.

Label Value
Winner South Africa
Margin 5 wickets
SA Scores 138 & 282/5
AUS Scores 212 & 207
Venue Lord’s Cricket Ground, London

Where is the ICC test championship final?

The 2025 ICC World Test Championship Final took place at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. This historic venue, often called the “home of cricket,” is owned and managed by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). The ground has hosted major ICC events including the 2019 Cricket World Cup final and numerous Ashes Tests.

The upshot

Lord’s stature as the premier cricket venue in England made it a fitting stage for South Africa’s breakthrough ICC title. The neutral ground removed any home advantage that either team might have held.

Has SA won any ICC trophy?

South Africa’s victory in the 2025 WTC Final marked their first ICC trophy since the 1998 Champions Trophy. Before this win, the Proteas had reached two WTC Finals (2021 and 2023) but finished as runners-up on both occasions. Their 2025 triumph finally delivered the silverware that had eluded the team for nearly three decades.

“Aiden Markram’s Player of the Match performance proved decisive, anchoring South Africa’s second innings chase with the pressure of a final hanging over every delivery.”

— Match report analysis, Wikipedia

Aiden Markram’s Player of the Match performance proved decisive, anchoring South Africa’s second innings chase with the pressure of a final hanging over every delivery.

  • 1998 Champions Trophy — South Africa’s previous ICC title
  • 2021 WTC Final — lost to New Zealand by 8 wickets
  • 2023 WTC Final — lost to India by 209 runs
  • 2025 WTC Final — defeated Australia by 5 wickets
Why this matters

The win silenced years of questions about South Africa’s ability to close out ICC events. Captain Temba Bavuma’s leadership and the team’s collective bowling effort converted years of near-misses into a defining triumph.

What is the prize money for the ICC World Test Championship?

The ICC World Test Championship offers substantial prize money for participating teams. Winners of the 2025 WTC Final received US$3.6 million, while the runners-up from Australia took home US$2.1 million. The prize pool represents a significant increase from previous editions, reflecting the ICC’s investment in Test cricket’s premier event.

“For South Africa’s players, the financial reward validated years of investment in Test cricket infrastructure. The US$3.6 million payout — plus the prestige of an ICC title — strengthens the case for continued WTC investment across all nations.”

— Cricket Australia coverage of WTC Final

The trade-off

For South Africa’s players, the financial reward validated years of investment in Test cricket infrastructure. The US$3.6 million payout — plus the prestige of an ICC title — strengthens the case for continued WTC investment across all nations.

What is the AUS vs SA WTC final scorecard?

The complete innings breakdown shows South Africa twice overcoming first-innings deficits before eventually chasing down Australia’s target on Day 4.

Australia 1st innings

Australia’s batting lineup struggled against South Africa’s pace attack, with Kagiso Rabada delivering a match-winning spell of 5/51. Marco Jansen supported with 3/49, while Keshav Maharaj and Aiden Markram contributed with one wicket each.

  • Australia dismissed for 212 all out in 56.4 overs (Sky Sports live scorecard)
  • Steve Smith built Australia’s innings, eventually scoring 68 to set a new record for most Test runs at Lord’s by a visiting batter (591 total) (Wikipedia match report)
The paradox

Steve Smith’s remarkable record at Lord’s overshadowed his team’s defeat. His 591 runs across Tests at the ground surpassed Warren Bardsley’s previous benchmark of 575, yet Australia still finished on the losing side.

South Africa 1st innings

South Africa’s first innings saw them bundled out for just 138 runs in 57.1 overs, trailing Australia by 74 runs. Pat Cummins led Australia’s attack with multiple wickets, including the key dismissals of Temba Bavuma (36 off 84 balls) and David Bedingham (45 off 111 balls).

The innings scorecard for South Africa’s first innings shows the key batsmen who contributed to their 138-run total.

Batsman Runs Balls Fours Sixes
Temba Bavuma (c) 36 84 4 1
David Bedingham 45 111 6 0
Ryan Rickelton 16 23 3 0
Aiden Markram 0 6 0 0
Lungi Ngidi (not out) 0 1 0 0

The implication: South Africa’s inability to build partnerships early set up the dramatic chase that followed.

South Africa’s 138-run total included 12 extras (10 leg byes, 2 no-balls), highlighting their difficulty against Cummins’s disciplined bowling (Wikipedia).

Australia 2nd innings

Australia’s second innings produced 207 runs, setting South Africa a target of 214 to win. Travis Head’s performance in this innings cemented his status as one of ICC finals’ most reliable batters, reportedly surpassing Rohit Sharma to become the second-highest run-scorer in ICC finals history (just 4 innings) (Wikipedia).

South Africa 2nd innings

South Africa chased their target of 214, reaching 282/5 in 83.4 overs to win by 5 wickets. The innings featured a crucial partnership that absorbed Australia’s bowling attack and shifted momentum decisively toward the Proteas.

What to watch

Aiden Markram’s Player of the Match honour reflected his composure during the chase. Having scored 0 in the first innings, his reset under pressure demonstrated the mental toughness that separates championship performers from talented players.

What was the result of South Africa vs Australia WTC final?

South Africa won the 2025 ICC World Test Championship Final by 5 wickets against Australia at Lord’s on 14 June 2025. The result marked a historic moment for South African cricket, delivering their first ICC title in 27 years.

Key match statistics

The comparison table shows how the two teams matched across the four days of play.

Statistic South Africa Australia
1st innings total 138 212
2nd innings total 282/5 207
Result Won by 5 wickets Lost by 5 wickets
Prize money US$3.6 million US$2.1 million

The margin of victory reflected South Africa’s superior application during the chase. While Australia scored more runs across the match (419 vs 420), South Africa’s 282-run second innings showed the intent required in a chase.

Match Timeline

  • 11 June 2025: South Africa win toss and elect to field first (Wikipedia match records)
  • 11–12 June: Australia 1st innings ends at 212 all out
  • 12 June: South Africa 1st innings dismissed for 138
  • 13–14 June: Australia 2nd innings ends at 207
  • 14 June: South Africa chase target to win by 5 wickets

Upsides

  • South Africa clinches maiden WTC title
  • First ICC trophy since 1998 Champions Trophy
  • Rabada’s 5/51 delivers match-winning spell
  • Aiden Markram named Player of the Match
  • US$3.6 million prize money secured

Downsides

  • Australia’s Steve Smith record-setting performance goes unrewarded
  • South Africa’s first innings collapse to 138 raises concerns
  • Incomplete second innings batting details in sources

Related reading: St Clair Golf Club Scorecard · Utah Jazz vs Celtics Box Score

Additional sources

espn.com

South Africa’s historic run-chase of 282 to beat Australia by five wickets in the WTC Final shines through the AUS vs SA scorecard with full details from Lord’s.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the key player stats from SA vs AUS WTC final?

Kagiso Rabada led South Africa’s attack with 5/51 in Australia’s first innings, while Aiden Markram earned Player of the Match honours for his crucial second innings performance. Steve Smith scored 68 to set a new Lord’s record for visiting batters (591 total runs at the ground).

When did the ICC World Test Championship final take place?

The match was played from 11 to 14 June 2025 at Lord’s Cricket Ground, London. South Africa won the toss and elected to field first on the opening day.

What was South Africa’s first innings total?

South Africa scored 138 runs in their first innings, dismissed in 57.1 overs. Temba Bavuma top-scored with 36 off 84 balls, while David Bedingham contributed 45. Australia captain Pat Cummins took multiple wickets to restrict the Proteas.

Who was Player of the Match in the SA vs AUS WTC final?

Aiden Markram was named Player of the Match for South Africa. After scoring a duck in the first innings, he rebuilt his game during the crucial chase, helping South Africa reach their target of 214 runs in the second innings.

What is the format of the WTC final match?

The WTC Final is a traditional five-day Test match played at a neutral venue. The 2025 edition at Lord’s lasted four days, with South Africa chasing down Australia’s second innings target on the final day.

How did South Africa qualify for the WTC final?

South Africa finished at the top of the WTC points table following the bilateral series cycle, earning the right to face Australia in the final. This was their third WTC Final appearance after losses in 2021 and 2023.

What records were broken during the match?

Steve Smith set a new record for most Test runs at Lord’s by a visiting batter with 591, surpassing Warren Bardsley’s 575. Travis Head reportedly became the second-highest run-scorer in ICC finals history after just four innings.

For South Africa’s cricketing establishment, the 2025 WTC Final result validates years of strategic investment in Test cricket. After two consecutive runner-up finishes, the Proteas finally executed under pressure — and the five-wicket margin over Australia reflects a team that knows how to close out championship moments. With US$3.6 million in prize money and a maiden WTC trophy, South Africa’s cricketing future looks considerably brighter than it did before they walked onto the Lord’s outfield in June 2025.