South Africa and Australia are gearing up to clash in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final, scheduled to take place at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground from June 11 to 16, 2025.
South African pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada has revealed that his team has already begun planning for the high-stakes encounter. Speaking after South Africa’s recent Test series triumph against Pakistan, Rabada emphasized the team’s determination to outplay Australia in the WTC Final.
Proteas’ Dominant Form
South Africa concluded their WTC cycle in spectacular fashion with a commanding 10-wicket victory over Pakistan in Cape Town. The win marked a clean sweep in the two-match series, with the Proteas also claiming a two-wicket victory in the opening Test at Centurion.
Key performances included Rabada’s six-wicket haul in the second Test and a swift 47-run knock off 30 balls by David Bedingham to chase down Pakistan’s meager target of 58 in just 7.1 overs. The victory extended South Africa’s winning streak to seven consecutive Test matches, cementing their position as the top team in the WTC standings with 69.44% of possible points.
Rivalry with Australia
Rabada noted the historic rivalry between South Africa and Australia, stating, “South Africa versus Australia has always been intense. We play similar styles of cricket—hard and competitive. They’ll come at us aggressively, but we know how to beat them.”
Rabada also highlighted the significance of Test cricket, describing it as the format where South African legends have excelled and a testament to the team’s recent success.
Preparations for the Final
While South Africa doesn’t have any Test matches scheduled before the final, coach Shukri Conrad outlined plans to organize a preparatory match in the UK against Ireland or Afghanistan. If this doesn’t materialize, the team plans to arrive in England early for an extensive camp, potentially in Canterbury.
Captain Bavuma’s Stellar Form
Coach Conrad praised captain Temba Bavuma’s leadership and form, noting his two centuries and three half-centuries during the home Test summer. “Temba has led from the front, playing the best cricket of his career. He’s the perfect leader for this team,” Conrad said.
With both teams bringing their A-game, the WTC Final promises to be a thrilling contest at Lord’s.