By Zainab Shafiq 
The
, marking a milestone moment in the nation’s cricket history. What was billed as a heavyweight contest between the reigning champions Australia and the resilient South Africans turned into a statement win for the Proteas, both on and off the pitch.
Australia, who dominated the first half of the Test by claiming a 74-run first-innings lead, faltered spectacularly in the second half. Their batting lineup failed to deliver under pressure, setting a modest 282-run target, which South Africa chased down with five wickets in hand. The star of the show was Aiden Markram, who silenced critics with a sublime 136, supported by skipper Temba Bavuma’s gritty half-century.
In the aftermath, both captains opened up, offering a rare insight into the emotional toll, the criticism, and the legacy that WTC final 2025 leaves behind.
Cummins Points to Batting Concerns as Title Slips Away
Australian captain Pat Cummins didn’t shy away from admitting where things went wrong for his side. While acknowledging South Africa’s deserved victory, he laid bare the internal concerns about Australia’s faltering top-order.
“Things can change quickly, but it was a bridge too far,” Cummins stated. “Few things we didn’t do right. Didn’t bat out the opposition after a decent first-innings lead. South Africa didn’t give us a chance in the fourth innings.”
Cummins was candid about the underperforming batting unit that had shown promise in the past two years but failed when it mattered most in the WTC final 2025. He credited his bowlers for doing their bit in the early stages but pointed out that the second innings effort lacked edge.
“There are concerns in the top-seven, guys have performed well in the last two years. Bowlers did well in the first two days. We gave everything a chance, Lyon bowled particularly well but didn’t get a wicket,” he said.
He heaped praise on Markram and Bavuma for their clinical performance, particularly the 147-run third-wicket partnership that turned the game decisively in South Africa’s favor.
“Aiden and Temba didn’t give us a chance. SA showed why they’re here and are deserved winners, they kept themselves in the game throughout,” Cummins added.
Despite the disappointment, Cummins remained proud of his team’s journey to the final.
“It’s the pinnacle, I love Test cricket. Huge achievement to make the final, one-game shootout is a spectacle, didn’t end up on the right side but it’s been a great week.”
Bavuma Hits Back at Critics, Dedicates WTC Final 2025 Win to United South Africa
For Temba Bavuma, this win was far more than a title. It was a rebuttal to every doubt, every headline questioning South Africa’s path to the WTC final 2025, a journey many deemed soft due to the absence of contests against Australia and England.
“We got ourselves into the final, there were doubters on the route we took, this win squashes that,” Bavuma asserted confidently.
In a charged post-match reflection, he acknowledged the emotional weight of the moment.
“Special moment for us and people back home, probably will sink in a couple of days. The energy was there, I think us as a team have been wanting this. We’ve been relentless, getting to the doorstep consistently and experienced heartache, the sun’s been with us. Hopefully, this win is one of many.”
Bavuma’s words resonated beyond sport as he spoke about uniting a divided nation through cricket’s power.
“Here’s an opportunity for us as a nation, divided as we are, to unite. You can be rest assured we’ll celebrate as one.”
He didn’t hold back in lauding pacer Kagiso Rabada, who delivered under pressure despite recent off-field controversy.
“KG is a massive player. A couple of days ago, I went to the ICC World of Fame inductees; I think in a couple of years, KG will be one of those guys.”
As for Markram’s hundred, it was not just about runs but redemption.
“A couple of months ago people were asking why Aiden was in the team… We knew in the second innings we were going to have to come out and play and he did it in true Aiden fashion.”