South Africa’s national cricket team, the Proteas, are set to return home on Wednesday morning (18 June 2025) following their historic victory over Australia in the World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord’s in London. This marks the first time South Africa has won an International Cricket Council (ICC) trophy in 27 years.
Proteas homecoming: Here are the latest details
The homecoming event will take place at OR Tambo International Airport, where the team is scheduled to land at 09:25. Fans will have the opportunity to welcome back the players, led by captain Temba Bavuma, and celebrate their win in the WTC — a tournament that decides the best team in test cricket.
Test cricket is the longest form of the game and is played over five days. It is considered by many players and fans to be the toughest and most prestigious version of cricket.
The World Test Championship is the international competition that ranks and pits the best teams from around the world against each other over a two-year cycle.
Victory at Lord’s
On Saturday, the Proteas defeated Australia by five wickets. South Africa was chasing a target of 282 runs and needed 69 more on the final day. Aiden Markram was named player of the match for scoring 136 runs, while captain Bavuma played with a hamstring injury and added a crucial 66 before being dismissed.
Kyle Verreynne sealed the victory with the final runs, as the team completed one of the highest successful run chases ever recorded at the historic Lord’s cricket ground. The chase from 213-2 overnight to 282-5 marked a significant achievement, especially against an Australian team known for its strong bowling.
Markram described it as “one of the most special days” in his career and praised Bavuma’s leadership. “A lot of it came from him. He’s always led from the front,” he said.
Bavuma, who has often faced criticism and pressure, reflected emotionally on the win.
“It hasn’t been easy. It’s not easy being captain of South Africa… I’d like to think I would have won (over) a couple of doubters,” he said.
What the Trophy Means
The WTC mace, the trophy awarded to the champions, will return to South Africa for the first time. This moment is seen as redemption for a team that has historically struggled in major tournaments.
The final against Australia was filled with tension. Despite a strong start, South Africa had to deal with Australia’s relentless bowling. The match saw dramatic moments including the dismissal of key batters and intense pressure as the runs needed narrowed.
Yet the Proteas held their nerve. As they edged closer to the win, the Australians used up all their appeals for decisions — known as “reviews” — without success. In the end, it was a combination of patience, grit, and determination that led to the Proteas’ breakthrough win.
Supporters will now get to celebrate with the team on Wednesday, a moment of national pride following a victory many hope signals a new chapter for South African cricket.
