South Africa reveal playing XI for WTC final against Australia

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has announced the Playing XI for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final against Australia, starting on June 11 at Lord's Cricket Ground. Temba Bavuma will lead the team in this historic showdown.

The team features a strong pace attack, with Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, and Lungi Ngidi, who has recovered from a groin injury. Keshav Maharaj is the only specialist spinner in the side. All-rounder Wiaan Mulder will bat at No. 3, with the team management backing him to play his natural game.

“Mulder is quite young in that position. But I think having played with Mulder, having seen him and the way he has grown in the last two years within the red-ball format,” said Bavuma.

“It’s about giving him a lot more confidence, backing him, and just allowing him to do what he does best," he added.

“He has an opportunity in a pressure situation, but I think he can take comfort from the fact that the guys are backing him. We just want him to play his game,” he further added. 

Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton will open the batting for South Africa, while captain Temba Bavuma will lead the middle order, joined by Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, and wicketkeeper Kyle Verrynne.

South Africa playing XI: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma (c), Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verrynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi