South Africa, the table-toppers of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle, will lock horns with defending champions Australia in the WTC Final at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London from June 11 to 15.
South Africa and Australia in the WTC 2025 final at Lord’s
Having qualified first for the summit clash, South Africa finished the league stage with consistent dominance, led by Temba Bavuma, who now has the chance to lead his nation to its first-ever ICC trophy in over two decades. The Proteas have frequently made it to the knockout stages across formats in recent years, including semi-final runs in the T20 and ODI World Cups, but have failed to cross the final hurdle. The Lord’s final now presents an opportunity to not only break their ICC trophy drought but to make history on Test cricket’s grandest stage.
Australia, under the leadership of Pat Cummins, finished second in the WTC standings after a hard-fought 4-1 Border-Gavaskar Trophy win against India on home soil earlier this year. Having already lifted the ODI World Cup 2023 and the WTC 2021-23 title by defeating India in both finals, the Baggy Greens now stand on the brink of something historic, becoming the first team to successfully defend the WTC mace. With a core of seasoned match-winners, Australia brings an unmatched pedigree into the final. Their balance of experience, world-class pace attack, and dominant batting lineup makes them formidable opponents for any side, especially in high-stakes clashes.
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Matthew Hayden predicts who’ll lift the WTC 2025 trophy – Australia or South Africa?
Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden has firmly backed the Aussies to overcome the Proteas in the final, highlighting experience as a key deciding factor. Speaking to Star Sports, Hayden emphasized the advantage of playing a one-off Test, where familiarity and cohesion in the lineup can significantly influence the outcome. According to Hayden, Australia’s seasoned campaigners and established rhythm give them a head-start, especially on the grand occasion.
“It’s a great dynamic position to have, coming into just one test, and that’s why I think experience is really key. Guys, knowing each other’s games really well, knowing the venue well, you know, sort of almost getting back into the driving seat of your vehicle and not having to change or alter the line-up because someone else has been in it. Yeah, just all those sorts of comfort zones, plus I think the connection that Australia naturally has to the home of cricket,” Hayden said.
Australia’s historical connection to Lord’s further adds weight to Hayden’s viewpoint. The venue has witnessed 18 Australian Test victories, making it a cherished battlefield for the team. Hayden reflected on the emotional and cultural ties Australians have with the ground. For many Australian players, performing at Lord’s is about honoring a legacy, one they have successfully upheld over decades.
“I mean when you think about the famous tussles with England and Australia, you straight away probably go to two venues, Boxing Day at Melbourne and Lord’s in England. I guess from a young age as kids we’ve always kind of been brought up understanding how special that venue is, how much history it has and embracing that as something that Australia does very well,” Hayden concluded.
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