South Africa is on the cusp of history. They need just 69 runs to win the World Test Championship 2025 final. At Lord’s, the Australians set them a target of 282 runs. In response, South Africa has scored 213 runs so far, with Aiden Markram notching a century and captain Temba Bavuma hitting a half-century.
This team is known for choking in big games. They’ve lost in the semifinals of the 1992, 2007, 2015, and 2023 one-day World Cups. The same story played out in the Champions Trophy, where they reached the semifinals five times but failed to take the title. Last year, they lost to India in the 2024 T20 World Cup final.
But here’s a surprise: South Africa has won an ICC trophy before. It was the 1998 ICC Knockout Trophy, where they beat Bangladesh by four wickets in the final. They also made it to the finals of the 2009 Champions Trophy and the 2024 T20 World Cup, but didn’t win. If they beat Australia in this Test Championship final, it’ll be their second ICC trophy.
South Africa’s ICC Record
They’ve had some close calls. In 1992, they lost to England in the one-day World Cup semifinals. In 2007, they fell to Australia. In 2015, it was New Zealand who beat them. And in 2023, they lost to Australia again. The Champions Trophy has been just as tough for them.
Past Wins
Their one ICC win came in 1998. They beat Bangladesh in the final. But since then, it’s been a dry spell. They’re known for getting close, but not quite making it. Can they break this curse and win the World Test Championship? The answer lies in the next few hours of play.
- 1992: Lost to England in one-day World Cup semifinals
- 2007: Lost to Australia in one-day World Cup semifinals
- 2015: Lost to New Zealand in one-day World Cup semifinals
- 2023: Lost to Australia in one-day World Cup semifinals
- 1998: Won ICC Knockout Trophy, beating Bangladesh in the final