The Proteas have officially secured their place in the highly anticipated ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final, set to take place in England next year.
Their qualification was confirmed after they won the first Test against Pakistan by two wickets in the ongoing two-match series.
This victory, which took place at SuperSport Park in Centurion, marked their seventh win in 11 Tests, ensuring that they will be competing in the WTC Final at Lord’s Cricket Ground in June 2025.
Rassie Erasmus Joins in the Celebration
South Africa’s beloved Springbok boss, Rassie Erasmus, was quick to join in the celebrations, sharing a message filled with his trademark humor.
Erasmus, known for his support of the Proteas, tweeted: “Julle weet wat ons weet! (you know what we know).
Jaaaa man!” This clever play on words was a nod to UFC star Dricus du Plessis’ mantra, ‘hulle weet nie wat ons weet nie,’ symbolizing the fighting spirit that defines South Africans.
Erasmus’ message echoed the team’s determination and resilience, which was clearly reflected in their qualification.
Proteas’ Journey to the WTC Final
The Proteas’ path to the WTC Final has been impressive, and their recent victory added another significant chapter.
After beginning the 2023-2025 cycle with a 1-1 drawn series against India at home, they faced a challenging away series against New Zealand, where they suffered their only loss of the cycle (2-0).
However, the team quickly bounced back with a dominant 1-0 win over the West Indies in August, followed by a stellar 2-0 series win in Bangladesh, showcasing their growing strength.
The current summer series, which saw them secure a 2-0 victory over Sri Lanka, further boosted their momentum.
The ongoing series against Pakistan now sees them leading 1-0, with one more match to play.
Praise from CSA and Team Officials
CSA CEO Pholetsi Moseki expressed immense pride in the Proteas’ achievement, describing their qualification for the WTC Final as a “monumental” feat.
Moseki praised the team’s determination and commitment to excellence, acknowledging that their progress over the past 18 months has been remarkable.
He also recognized the leadership of coach Shukri Conrad and captain Temba Bavuma in driving the team to the top of the world rankings.
Enoch Nkwe, Director of National Teams and High Performance, also shared his congratulations, noting that this was Conrad’s first full cycle as coach.
Despite facing numerous challenges, including injuries and personal circumstances, the team’s resilience and strength have been key to their success.
Looking Ahead to the WTC Final in June 2025
With their spot in the WTC Final now secured, the Proteas will spend the next few months preparing for the showdown at Lord’s in London.
It promises to be an exciting build-up as they aim to compete at the highest level in the home of cricket.
As the team continues to impress, fans can look forward to even more thrilling cricket in the months to come.
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