South Africa Announces 15-man Squad For The WTC 2025 Final Against Australia

In what promises to be one of the most anticipated showdowns in recent Test cricket history, Cricket South Africa (CSA) has named its 15-member squad for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2025, slated to take place at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London from June 11 to 15. The selection represents not just a culmination of two years of gritty, resilient Test cricket but also a rare opportunity for the Proteas to claim their maiden WTC crown.

With Temba Bavuma continuing at the helm, South Africa will take the field against reigning champions Australia, aiming to etch their name in cricketing folklore and bring home a long-awaited global Test title.

Leadership and Stability: Bavuma’s Charge Towards History

The heart of this South African unit is captain Temba Bavuma, who has come to symbolize a calm, disciplined, and focused approach to leadership. Bavuma’s journey as a Test leader has been underscored by both grit and dignity, often steering South Africa through tricky transitions in personnel and form.

Under his stewardship, the Proteas qualified for their first-ever WTC final, overcoming strong challenges from Pakistan, India, and New Zealand. Bavuma’s own form with the bat, coupled with his temperament and tactical acumen, will be crucial against a well-oiled Australian unit led by Pat Cummins.

Revitalized Pace Attack: Ngidi Returns, Rabada Roars

South Africa’s cricketing DNA is inseparable from fast bowling—and the squad for the WTC final stays true to that legacy. The pace attack is loaded with both experience and promise:

Kagiso Rabada, the pace spearhead, remains the Proteas’ most potent weapon. With over 280 Test wickets and a knack for delivering in crunch situations, Rabada’s fiery spells will be key against a seasoned Australian top order.
Lungi Ngidi makes a high-profile return after being sidelined since October 2024. The 28-year-old quick has had injury struggles but his control, seam movement, and ability to hit the deck hard make him a valuable addition.
Dane Paterson, often under the radar, has quietly built a reputation as a reliable workhorse. His domestic dominance and unerring line-and-length could serve as the ideal foil to the aggression of Rabada and Ngidi.
Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen, and Wiaan Mulder round out the seam contingent. Bosch, still early in his Test career, brings raw pace and youth. Jansen, the towering left-armer, offers bounce and variety, while Mulder’s dual-role capabilities lend balance to the XI.

Notably, Gerald Coetzee and Anrich Nortje—both explosive quicks—were omitted, likely due to form and injury concerns.

Spin Department: Maharaj & Muthusamy Take the Mantle

On English wickets that can offer turn later in the match, Keshav Maharaj will be central to South Africa’s plans. One of the most consistent performers in the post-Imran Tahir era, Maharaj’s classical left-arm spin and control make him a go-to bowler in the fourth innings.

He’s joined by Senuran Muthusamy, another left-arm spinner who provides batting depth and has experience in English conditions. The exclusion of Dane Piedt, despite his recent domestic success, is perhaps a tactical call, favoring left-arm variation and versatility.

Top-Order Depth: Blend of Steel and Promise

South Africa’s batting group has come under scrutiny in recent years, but heading into the final, there is quiet optimism:

Aiden Markram is the rock at the top. With over 3,000 Test runs and a newfound maturity in the longest format, his ability to absorb pressure and play the anchor role will be pivotal.
Tony de Zorzi and David Bedingham are two of the most exciting young batting talents in the squad. De Zorzi’s left-handed elegance and Bedingham’s compact technique have seen them rise through the ranks, and the WTC final could be their defining moment.
Ryan Rickelton adds further options in the top order. His versatility and stroke play against pace and spin make him a dark horse in the XI.

Middle-Order X-Factors: Stubbs and Verreynne Step Up

Tristan Stubbs, better known for his limited-overs exploits, finds himself in South Africa’s Test squad—a reward for his solid red-ball performances. His aggressive brand of cricket, if harnessed correctly, could prove to be a disruptor in the middle order.
Kyle Verreynne, the likely wicketkeeper, has become a pillar in South Africa’s WTC journey. With gritty fifties in challenging conditions and athletic keeping, Verreynne brings energy and dependability.

Squad Preparation: Camp in Arundel, Tune-Up vs Zimbabwe

In a bid to fine-tune combinations and adapt to English conditions, the Proteas will assemble in Arundel from May 31, ahead of a four-day warm-up match against Zimbabwe from June 3–6. This fixture will allow the team to finalize their best XI, test different bowling combinations, and give returning players like Ngidi valuable game time.

On June 7, the team will shift base to London, entering the final phase of preparations for what will be their biggest Test match in over a decade.

Full South Africa Squad for WTC Final 2025

Temba Bavuma (Captain)
David Bedingham
Corbin Bosch
Tony de Zorzi
Marco Jansen
Keshav Maharaj
Aiden Markram
Wiaan Mulder
Senuran Muthusamy
Lungi Ngidi
Dane Paterson
Kagiso Rabada
Ryan Rickelton
Tristan Stubbs
Kyle Verreynne

Balancing the XI: Tactical Talking Points

Heading into the final, the Proteas have a few key decisions to make:

Will they go with four frontline seamers or include both spinners?
English summer conditions may favor an extra seamer, but Maharaj’s inclusion is almost certain.
Which of the middle-order batters will make the cut?
Stubbs, Rickelton, and Bedingham are all in contention. The balance between stability and firepower will define selection.
Will Jansen’s left-arm angle and batting push him ahead of Bosch or Mulder?
Jansen offers variety and has already proven himself on English soil.

The Stakes: History Beckons

South Africa has long been considered one of the most gifted Test nations never to have lifted a global ICC title in the format. They reached the semi-finals of the inaugural WTC cycle but fell short.

Now, at Lord’s, the mecca of cricket, they face a stern test against Australia, who are chasing a WTC title defense. For Bavuma and his team, this is more than a final—it is a shot at redemption, legacy, and history.

The presence of fresh faces, the return of Ngidi, and a core of in-form players make South Africa a formidable opponent. They’ll enter Lord’s as underdogs perhaps, but certainly not as pushovers.

Final Thoughts

As the countdown to June 11 begins, the South African cricket fraternity has reason to dream big. With a squad that brings pace, power, patience, and promise, the Proteas have the tools to take down the Aussies and lift their first-ever World Test Championship title.

Lord’s has seen many great sides crowned. Will 2025 be the year of the Proteas?

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