Australia, South Africa Face Off at Lord’s in WTC Final

The 2025 World Test Championship final at Lord's highlights the historic and intense cricket rivalry between Australia and South Africa, dating back to their first Test encounter in 1902. South Africa, led by captain Temba Bavuma, aims to overcome its long history of near misses in international cricket finals, contrasting with Australia's extensive success in ICC tournaments, including multiple World Cups and a recent WTC title. The Proteas have shown resilience and improvement throughout the 2023-25 WTC cycle, with key performances from players like Kagiso Rabada, who previously excelled at Lord's, and David Bedingham. Despite South Africa's underdog status and past heartbreaks in knockout stages, Bavuma emphasizes confidence and respect for Australia while viewing the final as a balanced contest. The match not only symbolizes a quest for South Africa’s first major ICC trophy since 1998 but also a continuation of a century-old cricketing saga marked by fierce competition and mutual respect. With Rabada poised for another impactful performance and a strong South African team spirit, the final promises to be a thrilling chapter in this storied rivalry.