The South African cricket team's triumphant ICC World Test Championship (WTC) squad returned to Lord's on Monday, June 16, 2025, for further celebrations after their historic victory. Just two days prior, the Proteas secured a remarkable five-wicket win against Australia in the WTC Final at the iconic venue, marking their first major ICC title in 27 years.
The entire 15-player squad, along with the support staff, were present at the Home of Cricket, proudly displaying the World Test Championship mace. The atmosphere was joyous as the team basked in the glory of their achievement before departing for South Africa.
All-rounder Wiaan Mulder, speaking to ICC Digital at Lord's, described the celebrations as "very, very good couple of days" and unlike any he had experienced before. He expressed the team's delight, emphasizing that there was "no better place to do it than at the Home of Cricket." Mulder also admitted to having had little sleep due to pre-match nerves and the subsequent celebrations.
Mulder identified the Western Province contingent within the team as the driving force behind the lively celebrations. He specifically mentioned Kyle Verreynne, Dane Paterson, David Bedingham, and batting coach Ashwell Prince as the "leaders of our vibe team," noting that they had "gone all out" in their revelry.
The victory at Lord's was particularly significant for South Africa, who have often been labeled as "chokers" in major tournaments. Overcoming this psychological barrier and securing the WTC title represents a significant milestone for South African cricket. The team displayed resilience and composure throughout the final, chasing down a challenging target against a formidable Australian side.
Keshav Maharaj, visibly emotional after the win, emphasized the team's journey and their desire to "be good people and play good cricket." He highlighted the significance of the victory in uniting the nation, referencing South Africa's rainbow nation and the diversity within the team.
The Proteas' success has been attributed to a combination of factors, including strong leadership from captain Temba Bavuma, the strategic guidance of coaches Shukri Conrad (Test) and Rob Walter (ODI & T20I), and the emergence of exciting young talents like Gerald Coetzee and Tristan Stubbs, combined with the experience of established stars such as Kagiso Rabada and Quinton de Kock.
Looking ahead, South Africa is scheduled to play a two-match Test series against Zimbabwe starting June 28, 2025, followed by several T20 and ODI matches against Zimbabwe and Australia in the coming months. The next major ICC event for the Proteas will be the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, where they will aim to build on their recent success and go one step further after finishing as runners-up in the 2024 edition. With a blend of youth and experience, South African cricket appears to be entering a new era of promise, marked by their recent triumph at Lord's.
