SA vs AUS WTC 2025 Final Awards List: Full List of Awards, Player of the Match, Post-Match Presentation, Stats

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South Africa have finally ended their long wait for a major ICC trophy, defeating Australia by five wickets in a tense World Test Championship Final at Lord’s.

The victory marked their first ICC title since 1998 and capped a remarkable turnaround that saw them chase down 282 in the fourth innings to be crowned World Test Champions.

The iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground hosted a fiercely contested finale between two of the game's strongest sides. While Australia entered the match as reigning champions, South Africa were driven by hunger, history, and the promise of redemption. Across four drama-filled days, the game delivered everything Test cricket stands for — collapses, comebacks, and a cathartic finish for the Proteas.

SA vs AUS WTC 2025 Final - As it Happened

The first two days were dominated by fast bowlers. On Day 1, 14 wickets fell as Kagiso Rabada ran riot with a clinical five-wicket haul. Australia were bowled out for 212 despite a valiant effort from Steve Smith. In response, South Africa faltered to 138 all out on Day 2, undone by a sensational spell from Pat Cummins, who claimed 6 for 28 and reached his 300th Test wicket milestone.

Australia's second innings was once again hampered by South Africa’s pace, and despite a fighting half-century from Mitchell Starc, they managed just 207, setting South Africa a target of 282. The contest also saw injury concerns for Steve Smith, who dislocated his finger and did not take the field during South Africa’s chase.

The third day belonged to South Africa. Aiden Markram, who had scored a duck in the first innings, played a sublime knock, reaching a measured century. Captain Temba Bavuma, battling visible discomfort due to cramps, added a critical 66. Their 143-run partnership took South Africa to 213/2 by stumps, with just 69 runs needed on the final day.

South Africa resumed confidently on Day 4, and despite a few nervous moments, they completed the chase with five wickets in hand. Kyle Verreynne struck the winning runs to trigger jubilant celebrations. The moment was both symbolic and historic, the culmination of decades of near-misses and heartbreaks on the world stage.

SA vs AUS Key Performers

• Aiden Markram: His fourth-innings 137 was a masterclass in composure and control under pressure.
• Temba Bavuma: Led from the front despite injury, showing courage and determination with his 66-run knock.
• Kagiso Rabada: Picked up a five-wicket haul in the first innings and was relentless across both innings.
• Pat Cummins: Took 6 for 28 in the first innings and reached 300 Test wickets — a landmark moment in his career.

SA vs AUS WTC 2025 Final Award Winners

Player of the Match: Aiden Markram (South Africa)

Aiden Markram got the player of the match award deservedly for his scintillating knock of 136 runs in the 2nd innings of the WTC 2025 final.

"Not at all (if innings was easy). Weird how things work out, you get a duck. Ultimately you get luck and it worked out. It will yes. Lord's is a place where every Test cricketer wants to play. Plenty of South African fans were there and it was one of those special days. It's not always one-sided, you absorb the pressure and it was about maximising the scoring options. He is one of the best in the world, we had plenty of banter with him, said to him he is one of the best. Tough to have got over the line. Lot of it came from him, he has always led from the front, found way a to score runs and those sort of knocks are something people will remember you for," Markram said while receiving his award.

Runners-Up Medal: Australia

Winners Medal: South Africa

WTC 2025 Final Stats

• South Africa win their first-ever ICC trophy in 26 years, for the first time since winning ICC Knockout Trophy in 1998.
• Australia lost their first ICC final in 15 years, for the first time since 2010 when they lost to England in T20 World Cup.