WTC Final 2025: Temba Bavuma’s South Africa XI Faces Pat Cummins’ Australia at Lord’s

South Africa vs Australia: Temba Bavuma Announces XI for Historic WTC Final at Lord’s

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma has unveiled the playing XI for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final against Australia, set to begin on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at Lord’s, the Home of Cricket. The Proteas, making their first-ever WTC Final appearance, face defending champions Australia, led by Pat Cummins, in a high-stakes clash to claim the coveted mace.

South Africa boasts an impressive record at Lord’s, with five wins, one loss, and one draw since 1991. Bavuma, the team’s leading run-scorer in Tests since December 2019, has been pivotal in guiding South Africa to the final. Since 2020, he has amassed 1,794 runs in 24 matches at an average of 48.48, with a strike rate of 50, including three centuries and 11 fifties, making him the top run-scorer for South Africa in the 2023-25 WTC cycle. His leadership saw the Proteas top the WTC standings with a 69.44-point percentage.

Australia, entering their second consecutive WTC Final, brings a wealth of experience, having clinched the title against India at The Oval in June 2023. The Pat Cummins-led side has remained unbeaten in Test series over the past two years, securing victories in New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and India, retaining the Ashes in England in 2023, and drawing against the West Indies. With 18 wins from 40 matches at Lord’s, Australia has a deep understanding of the venue’s conditions.

As South Africa aims to etch a new chapter in their red-ball history and Australia seeks to retain the mace, the WTC Final at Lord’s promises intense competition between two cricketing powerhouses.