Bavuma leads a well-balanced team that gives the Proteas many choices in all parts of the game. This is their first time playing in a WTC Final. Meanwhile, Australia’s captain, Pat Cummins, also announced his team for the defending champions the day before this important match.
Leading the batting for South Africa are Ryan Rickelton, who has scored the most runs for them in the WTC 2023/25 cycle, along with captain Bavuma himself (who is also scoring many runs), Aiden Markram, and Tristan Stubbs.
A key decision by the South African team is to keep Wiaan Mulder batting at number 3. He played in this position during South Africa’s recent Test matches against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
“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,” Bavuma said. “It’s about giving him a lot more confidence, keep backing him and just allowing him to do what he does best. 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.” This trust in Mulder is a key part of the Proteas XI for WTC Final 2025.
For bowling, Keshav Maharaj is the only main spin bowler. The fast bowling attack includes Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, and Lungi Ngidi.
The South African team also had Dane Paterson in their squad, who bowled very well in their last Test series against Pakistan. However, Bavuma explained why they chose Ngidi instead.
“Probably one of the tougher decisions that has been made. We see what Dane Paterson did for us to the end of last season,” Bavuma added. “But it was more from a tactical point of view. Probably a little bit more pace from Lungi, guess he’s a bit taller as well. Lungi also has a better record, not taking away anything from Patto. He (Ngidi) has the experience, he’s played here before, not that Patto hasn’t. But I think he (Ngidi) will complement that bowling attack a little more. We have a guy like Mulder, who can give us something similar like Patto. It was probably one of the difficult decision we had to make.” This careful thought behind the bowling choice is vital for the Proteas XI for WTC Final 2025.
South Africa finished at the top of the ICC World Test Championship 2023/25 Standings to earn their spot in this “Ultimate Test.” The defending champions, Australia, finished right behind them. These two top teams will clash in the highly anticipated match starting on June 11 at the Lord’s Cricket Ground.
South Africa’s Playing XI for WTC Final 2025:
- Aiden Markram
- Ryan Rickelton
- Wiaan Mulder
- Temba Bavuma (captain)
- Tristan Stubbs
- David Bedingham
- Kyle Verreynne (wicketkeeper)
- Marco Jansen
- Keshav Maharaj
- Kagiso Rabada
- Lungi Ngidi
Proteas XI for WTC Final 2025: A Deep Dive into South Africa’s Strategy
The Proteas XI for WTC Final 2025 shows a clear strategy from the South African captain and team management. Their focus seems to be on a balanced side with strong batting and a powerful fast-bowling unit, capable of taking advantage of the English conditions at Lord’s.
Batting Strength: The opening combination of Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton will be crucial. Markram is an aggressive player who can get the team off to a quick start, while Rickelton has shown great form in the current WTC cycle. The decision to have Wiaan Mulder at number 3 is a bold one. As Bavuma mentioned, Mulder is young in that role, but his growth and the team’s backing show confidence in his ability to handle pressure. This makes Mulder a key player in the Proteas XI for WTC Final 2025.
The middle order, featuring captain Temba Bavuma, Tristan Stubbs, and David Bedingham, brings a mix of experience and exciting young talent. Bavuma’s leadership and consistent scoring will be vital. Stubbs and Bedingham are known for their attacking style and can change the game quickly. Kyle Verreynne as the wicketkeeper-batsman adds depth to the lower-middle order, providing crucial runs and reliable glovework. This strong batting lineup aims to put up a challenging total for the Proteas XI for WTC Final 2025.
Bowling Power: South Africa’s main strength in English conditions often lies in its fast bowling. The trio of Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, and Lungi Ngidi is formidable. Rabada is a world-class pacer known for his speed and wicket-taking ability. Jansen adds height and swing, making him a difficult bowler to face. The inclusion of Ngidi over Dane Paterson, as explained by Bavuma, highlights a preference for extra pace and bounce, which can be very effective at Lord’s. Ngidi’s experience at this ground also played a role in his selection for the Proteas XI for WTC Final 2025.
Keshav Maharaj is the lone specialist spinner. While Lord’s usually helps pacers more, a spinner can become very effective on Days 4 and 5 as the pitch wears down. Maharaj’s control and ability to pick up wickets will be important as the match progresses. Wiaan Mulder also offers some medium-pace bowling, providing another option for the captain. This diverse bowling attack is a major asset for the Proteas XI for WTC Final 2025.
The Captain’s Mindset: Temba Bavuma’s comments show a thoughtful approach to team selection. He openly discussed the tough decisions, like choosing Ngidi over Paterson, and the reasons behind them. This transparency and focus on tactical advantages (like Ngidi’s pace and height) reveal a captain who is thinking deeply about how to win this crucial match. His backing of young players like Mulder also indicates a positive team environment. This leadership will be key for the Proteas XI for WTC Final 2025.
Facing Australia: Australia is the defending champion and a very strong Test team. Their own playing XI will likely feature a powerful batting lineup and a world-class pace attack led by Pat Cummins. South Africa will need to be at their absolute best in all departments to challenge Australia’s dominance. The battle between these two cricketing giants will be a test of skill, strategy, and mental strength. Every player in the Proteas XI for WTC Final 2025 will need to perform at their peak.
The ICC World Test Championship Final is the peak of Test cricket. It brings together the two best teams over a two-year cycle to compete for the ultimate prize. For South Africa, it’s a chance to make history and bring home a major ICC trophy after a long wait. For Australia, it’s an opportunity to strengthen their position as the dominant force in Test cricket. The Proteas XI for WTC Final 2025 is ready for this challenge.
Fans around the world are eagerly waiting for this match. The Lord’s Cricket Ground, with its rich history, provides the perfect stage for this grand final. The decisions made by both captains, especially the composition of the Proteas XI for WTC Final 2025, will be crucial in deciding the outcome of this thrilling contest.
For more updates, follow Cricmind on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and YouTube.
