5 players who could make or break the SA vs AUS WTC 2025 final ft. Steve Smith

South Africa will take on Australia in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final at the Lord's Cricket Ground in London, starting Wednesday, June 11. The Aussies are the defending champions, having beaten India in the 2023 final. On the other hand, the Proteas will be featuring in their maiden WTC final.

South Africa finished first in the WTC 2023-25 points table, with points percentage (PCT) of 69.44. The Proteas played 12 Test matches during the WTC cycle, winning eight and losing three, while one match ended in a draw. Australia ended second, with PCT of 67.54. They played 19 matches, winning 13 and losing four, while two Tests ended in a draw.

A number of players from both sides will be key to the fortunes of their respective teams in the 2025 WTC final. On that note, we pick five players who could make or break the mega clash at Lord's.

---

#1 Steve Smith

Steve Smith has had an impressive WTC 2023-25 campaign. In 19 matches, he has scored 1,324 runs at an average of 41.37, with the aid of five tons and four fifties. His best of 141 in the ongoing WTC cycle came against Sri Lanka in Galle in January 2025. Smith followed it up with 131 in the next Test at the same venue.

The former Australian captain also scored 140 against India in Melbourne (December 2024) and 101 during the same series in Brisbane. With three hundreds in his last five Tests, Smith would be high on confidence. He is a big-match player and scored a defiant century in the 2023 WTC final against India at The Oval.

---

#2 Kagiso Rabada

South Africa's pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada was in the news for the wrong reasons recently, having served a one-month ban after testing positive for recreational drug use. Rabada will be keen to grab headlines for the right reasons. His performance with the ball will be crucial for the Proteas to stun Australia in the 2025 WTC final at Lord's.

Not surprisingly, Rabada is South Africa's leading wicket-taker in the ongoing WTC cycle. In 10 Tests, he has claimed 47 wickets at an average of 19.97, with three five-fers and a best of 6-46. If he gets his act right, Rabada could trouble Australia's premier batters.

---

#3 Pat Cummins

Australian captain Pat Cummins would be looking to add another feather to his illustrious cap. He led the Aussies to victory in the 2023 WTC final as well as the ODI World Cup final the same year. Under him, Australia also thumped India 3-1 in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy at home.

Cummins is Australia's leading wicket-taker in the ongoing WTC cycle and second-leading overall. Only Jasprit Bumrah (77) has taken more wickets in the 2023-25 WTC cycle. In 17 matches, Cummins has claimed 73 wickets at an average of 24.54, with five five-fers and four four-fers to his credit. Cummins loves leading from the front and would be a major threat for the Proteas in the final.

---

#4 Mitchell Starc

Like Cummins, seasoned Aussie left-arm seamer Mitchell Starc also loves the big occasion. He has delivered in many crunch games for the team before and would be looking forward to the challenge of the WTC 2025 final against South Africa. If he strikes early with the ball, Starc would put the Proteas on the back foot.

The fast bowler is third on the list of leading wicket-takers in the WTC 2023-25 cycle. In 18 matches, he has claimed 72 wickets at an average of 27.27, with the aid of two five-fers and four four-fers.

---

#5 Temba Bavuma

South African captain Temba Bavuma has a massive opportunity to create history for his country. The Proteas are often known to choke in big moments in major ICC events. A loss to Australia at Lord's and the tag would stay.

Bavuma will have to lead from the front with the bat. He has had an impressive WTC campaign. In seven matches, the right-handed batter has contributed 609 runs at an average of 60.90, with two hundreds and four fifties. Can be produce a defining knock in the final against the Aussies?