South Africa hasn’t won an ICC trophy. This is both true and false. That’s because when the Proteas won the Champions Trophy in 1998, it was named the Wills International Cup. It didn’t even have the ICC word in the tournament’s title. So, in some sense, if South Africa wins the World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2025, it’ll be their maiden ICC trophy.
Of course, beating Australia won’t be easy. They have reached the showdown for the Test mace by beating their toughest opponent, India. Some call them ‘serial winners’. They have the likes of Steve Smith, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, and Pat Cummins, players who rise up in the toughest of moments. Something that South Africa hasn’t really done since 1992.
South Africa needs to be at their best to beat the reigning WTC champions. That begins with nailing their selection. As is the case with most good teams, about 8-9 players select themselves. And then a couple of players are in discussion for the remaining spots.
No. 3 conundrum
For the Proteas, the only talking points when it comes to batting might be deciding their number three and five. As for bowling, South Africa could think about whether they need a spinner.
The openers will be Ryan Rickelton and Aiden Markram. The latter has been a lifelong opener in Test cricket, while the former scored a double hundred in the last match they played. The right-left combination also helps. But then the number three debate comes.
Tristan Stubbs has done well there, but it was Wiaan Mulder who batted there against Pakistan and in the recent practice match against Zimbabwe. There are discussions regarding Tony de Zorzi, an opener, playing there as well. In the end, Stubbs might be the best option.
Drop David Bedingham?
Temba Bavuma has been the best South African batter for the last couple of years and should bat at number four. At five, David Bedingham should play. Some think he should be dropped if Mulder plays at three and then go with Stubbs at five. But in such a big match, tinkering with the lineup may not be the best thing to do.
Kyle Verreynne has been their number six and that will remain the case. The all-rounders pick themselves in Marco Jansen and Mulder. The latter should bat ahead of the former. Corbin Bosch has just played 1 Test and can’t be brought in over either.
Should Keshav Maharaj & Dane Paterson play?
This pick depends on the pitch for many but having a world-class spinner like Keshav Maharaj is always good. Kagiso Rabada would be the first name on the team sheet. The last player would be Lungi Ngidi. Although he hasn’t played a Test match since August last year, picking Dane Paterson can be risky.
Firstly, his performance in the County Championship has been poor (averages 43.72). And secondly, if the pitch gets flat, he has neither the pace nor the height to trouble the Australian batters.
Predicted South Africa playing XI for WTC Final 2025
Batters: Ryan Rickelton, Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (wk)
All-rounders: Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder
Bowlers: Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi
Bench: Tony de Zorzi, Corbin Bosch, Senuran Muthusamy, Dane Paterson
The post Predicted South Africa playing XI for WTC Final: Stubbs at No. 3 or 5, should Maharaj & Ngidi play? appeared first on Inside Sport India.