The current holder of the World Test Championship mace is Australia. Hence, it is easy to say that Pat Cummins & Co will be the favourites. And why not! Australia have Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne and a fit-again Cameron Green. Their lethal pace-bowling attack is also back. But South Africa captain Temba Bavuma is not calling Australia favourites. He is giving his side a 50-50 chance to win the WTC Final 2025.
South Africa entered the WTC Final 2025 as a wild entrant, beating all the odds. Yes, many could argue that they haven’t beaten any tough teams on their way to the final at the Lord’s. But the fact is that they are in the final. And Bavuma is eying the coveted mace once again, even though there are no Test superstars in the team.
“We don’t have the superstars. We don’t have the wealth of experience that the Australians have, but we’ve got a group of guys who are super determined to make sure that the result is in our favour. We’ve got a bunch of guys who play for each other. We’ve got a bunch of guys who are desperate to be the man for the occasion. We know we’re coming up against a strong, experienced side in Australia, but we believe our chances are 50-50,” Temba Bavuma told ESPN Cricinfo.
Locked in. Fired up. The captains are ready for the 𝐔𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐬𝐭
#WTC25 pic.twitter.com/Y36u4N3k7f
— ICC (@ICC) June 8, 2025
Biggest challenge
Although many would love to call them chokers, South Africa have been one of the most consistent teams after India and Australia. South Africa reached the World Cup 2023 semifinals and the T20 World Cup 2024 final. While they lost both, the Proteas now have a chance to amend the mistakes in the WTC Final. Bavuma knows that it will be his biggest challenge as the South Africa men are still waiting for an ICC title since 1998 when they won the ICC Champions Trophy.
“It will probably be the biggest thing in my career. I grew up wanting to play Test cricket, so now I have an actual opportunity to be in the Test final, but also to lead the team as well. I don’t think it gets bigger than that. What gets bigger than that is obviously winning it. What gets bigger than winning it is winning another one. At this point in time, that’s probably the biggest thing in my career,” Temba Bavuma said.
Under Temba Bavuma’s captaincy, South Africa haven’t lost a Test match yet. While that will boost their confidence, Bavuma hasn’t faced Australia as the captain before. Even on head-to-head, Australia have won 54 matches to South Africa’s 26 in 101 matches. Their last win came against Australia back in 2018 under the shadow of the Sandpapergate scandal.
Now, South Africa will have to do it again. And if they do so, Temba Bavuma will be immortalised.
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