Aus-SA-WTC-2025-Final The final of the 2023-25 World Test Championship (WTC) will see South Africa (SA) and Australia face each other at Lord’s after 113 years. Both teams, accustomed to the Kookaburra ball, will tussle with a Duke’s on a pitch that witnesses nearly 320 runs in the first innings.
SA have won eight of 12 matches they played this cycle. They won seven on the trot to secure their finale spot. The defending champions on the other hand never lost a series, winning 13 of 19 matches.
SA has won three of the last five bilateral series against Australia. But entering the WTC finals, a rebranded African side will be up against a seasoned Australian eleven. To put into perspective, in English conditions, Steve Smith scored thrice in the number of runs scored by the current SA team.
Kagiso Rabada, the Proteas main man averages 19, and strikes approximately every 38th ball. He leads a pace attack with Lungi Ngidi and Dane Paterson who played their last test in October. Marco Jansen and Wiaan Mulder’s all-round skills further boost the bowling lineup.
The Aussies have a dream bowling attack with Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins. All four feature among the Top 10 highest wicket-takers of this WTC cycle. SA will expect a long stint from Temba Bavuma, who has amassed the most runs for them since 2015. Aiden Markaram, Ryan Rickleton, and Tristan Stubbs make this a fighting lineup.
A matter of concern for the Aussies will be Marnus Labuschagne’s below 30 average since 2023. Yet, with this deficit their top order includes Usman Khawaja (top run-scorer for Australia since 2015), Steve Smith (averages 58 at Lord’s), Travis Head (POTM in the previous WTC Final).
Under overcast conditions, this matchup favours Cummins’ men. If not for a beleaguer by their top order, glory to the post-Elgar era of SA seems to be in the hands of Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen.
Dark horses: Scott Boland (Aus), Corbin Bosch (SA)
Dilemma: Konstas/Labuschagne (Aus), de Zorzi/Bedingham (SA)
Matchups: Carey vs Verreynne, Maharaj vs Lyon
Win Prediction: Australia (65%)
