Cricket fans are buzzing as South Africa gears up for the big showdown in the ICC World Test Championship final against Australia.
The match kicks off on Wednesday, 11 June at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground, with the first ball scheduled for 11:30 am South African time.
This final is a huge moment, especially since it’s South Africa’s first-ever appearance in the WTC final, and captain Temba Bavuma has now revealed the squad that will take on the defending champions.
A Balanced Proteas Squad with Strong Batting Depth
Bavuma’s team looks well-rounded, offering plenty of options across batting, bowling, and fielding.
Leading the charge with the bat is Ryan Rickelton, who has been South Africa’s highest scorer throughout the WTC 2023/25 cycle.
Alongside him, Bavuma himself has been in solid form, with Aiden Markram and Tristan Stubbs adding further firepower to the lineup.
The full squad is:
-
Aiden Markram
-
Ryan Rickelton
-
Wiaan Mulder
-
Temba Bavuma (captain)
-
Tristan Stubbs
-
David Bedingham
-
Kyle Verreynne (wicketkeeper)
-
Marco Jansen
-
Keshav Maharaj
-
Kagiso Rabada
-
Lungi Ngidi
Confidence in Wiaan Mulder at Number Three
One interesting choice is the decision to back Wiaan Mulder at the crucial number three spot.
Mulder has been gaining experience in recent Tests against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, and Bavuma is clearly putting his faith in the youngster.
“Mulder is still quite young in that position,” Bavuma explained.
“But having played with him, I’ve seen how much he’s grown in the last couple of years, especially in red-ball cricket.
It’s about backing him, giving him confidence, and letting him play his natural game.”
It’s a big moment for Mulder to perform under pressure, but with the team’s support, Bavuma believes he can rise to the occasion.
Bowling Attack Features a Lone Spinner and Pace Variety
On the bowling front, Keshav Maharaj is the only full-time spinner in the squad, with a strong pace attack led by Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, and Lungi Ngidi.
The choice to include Ngidi over Dane Paterson—who impressed in recent Tests—was described as a tough but tactical decision.
“We all saw what Dane Paterson brought to the team last season,” Bavuma said.
“But from a tactical perspective, we wanted a bit more pace and height.
Lungi brings that and also has experience playing here at Lord’s.
He complements the attack better, and with Mulder offering some similar skills to Paterson, it felt like the right balance.”
South Africa Tops the World Test Championship Standings
South Africa earned their spot in this Ultimate Test by finishing top of the ICC World Test Championship 2023/25 standings.
Australia, the defending champions, are right behind them, setting the stage for a thrilling clash.
Fans and cricket lovers around the world are eagerly waiting to see if Temba Bavuma and his Proteas can pull off a historic victory on English soil.