Who said what - top 5 expert reactions to South Africa's triumph in 2025 WTC Final ft. Irfan Pathan 

The cricket fraternity reacted to South Africa securing an emphatic victory over Australia to claim the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 title on Saturday, June 14 at Lord's.

The game saw Australia batting first and posting 212 on the board, with Steve Smith (66) emerging as the top contributor. Kagiso Rabada was the wrecker-in-chief for the Proteas with a fifer.

Then, South Africa tumbled under pressure and were all-out for 138, with David Bedingham (45) returning as the top batter. Captain Pat Cummins stole the show with six wickets for Australia.

Although Australia were stuttering at 73/7 in the second innings, Mitchell Starc (58) and Alex Carey (45) helped them post a 282-run target for South Africa. Rabada again impressed by picking up four wickets.

In response, Aiden Markram (136) and Bavuma (66) were the top batters as South Africa sealed the chase and won the game by five wickets.

On that note, let's take a look at the top expert reactions to South Africa's WTC Final victory over Australia.

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#1 Dale Steyn

During the post-match show on JioHotstar, former South African speedster Dale Steyn was emotional after the Proteas emerged as the champions. While praising the fans for their support and the team for their performance, he said:

“The support at Lord’s, especially from the English fans, seemed to favor South Africa too. Perhaps the Ashes rivalry played a part, but that backing was invaluable. This was a massive game, and the team performed exceptionally well. It was a perfectly structured Test match — the top players delivered when it counted most."

Steyn also felt that the experienced players brought their A-game in a crucial game, adding:

“KG Rabada with the wickets, Pat Cummins performing as well, Mitchell Starc contributing with both wickets and runs, Aiden Markram’s key innings, and Temba Bavuma guiding the team to victory. It was a fantastic final, and I’m just thrilled for South Africa — they’ve finally won a trophy they’ve been chasing for a long time."

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#2 Irfan Pathan

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan lauded Temba Bavuma's leadership and fighting mindset, which helped South Africa to win the silverware. In a recent video on his YouTube channel, he said:

"They were waiting for a long time for an ICC trophy, and Temba Bavuma's team has finally achieved the feat. The partnership between Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma snatched the game away from Australia. (0:15)

"You have to give respect to Temba Bavuma. He led from the front for the team, while batting and leading them well. He played like a warrior, despite being injured, took single, doubles and showed courage."

Pathan also pointed out that Aiden Markram played the best knock of his career to be remembered among cricket fans for a long time. He added:

"Aiden Markram has played the finest knock of his career. After being dismissed for a duck in the first innings, he must be under pressure in the second. However, when you slam a match-winning hundred and register your names in the Honours Board, the cricket fans all around the world will remember this knock."

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#3 Aakash Chopra

In a post-match analysis on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra opined that the tag of chokers should officially be delisted from South Africa's name after their victory. While praising South Africa to bowl first and chasing the score, Chopra said:

"No one will call them chokers from now, instead they will be called champions. They won the toss and opted to field first, which meant that they were ready to face the pressure of fourth innings. They had a mountain to climb after conceding a 74-run lead in the first innings. (0:10)

"But, the bowlers helped them make a strong comeback, and put Australia in a spot of bother at 73/7. But, Australia were able to form a big partnership with Alex Carey and Mitchell Starc and post a target of 282, that's a lot of runs."

Chopra also credited Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma for defying all odds to help South Africa emerge as a champion. He added:

"Then, Aiden Markram played a superb knock, incredible batting. Temba Bavuma, playing with one leg, scores 66 and forges a strong big partnership and maintained his impeccable captaincy record."

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#4 Matthew Hayden

In a post-match show on JioHotStar, Matthew Hayden mentioned the dominance of his Australia at Lord's, and feels South Africa did a "phenomenal" job to outsmart his countrymen. He said:

“The legacy of Australian cricket, with its results and performances in ICC events, shows how much this team excels on the big stage. I can’t even remember the last time Australia lost at Lord’s; it’s been about 22 years of dominance here."

“So, for this South African team, which is relatively inexperienced compared to Australia in this World Test Championship cycle, this result is phenomenal. Take someone like Lungi Ngidi — almost unplayable in the first innings, and then in the second, he dismissed Steve Smith when it mattered most."

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#5 Mark Taylor

Former Australian batter Mark Taylor appreciated South Africa's winning mindset, while lauding the bowling unit and Aiden Markram for their impressive performances. During an interaction on Channel Nine, he said:

"South Africa, well done to them. They have won their last seven Test matches going into this game. Yes, they were underdogs and were behind in the first innings, but they never stopped believing. Their bowlers, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen kept them in the game and gave them the total they could chase. Aiden Markram was rightfully the Man of the Match and played beautifully." (0:10)

Taylor also put forth his point of bringing Sam Konstas as an opener, who stunned the cricket fraternity with his talent against India in the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. He added:

"We've definitely got to get Konstas in, we've got to give him the opportunity. He will open the batting with Usman Khawaja - he's on notice too in my side, because people like [Nathan] McSweeney have got to get another opportunity at some stage.

"You want to see these guys finish on their terms, but you're in a national sporting team and you have got to pick your best side for today and also for the future."