The Rise of a Champion : South Africa's redemption story


“Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops,
Weakened by my soulful cries?”

— Still I Rise by Maya Angelou


Champion. Champion. Champion.

South Africa has created history — they are the champions after a long wait of 27 years!
A big day, a big challenge, and a big victory.

This was no easy opposition. It was Australia — the world champions. Just the name of Australia is enough to stir fear in opponents. But South Africa had a different goal: to remove the tag of “chokers.” And this time, they did it.


Let’s not forget — South Africa has never been a weak team. Over the years, it has produced a lineup of legendary cricketers who made the team powerful in Test cricket:

1. Dale Steyn


2. Allan Donald


3. Shaun Pollock


4. Makhaya Ntini


5. Kagiso Rabada


6. Vernon Philander


7. Morne Morkel


8. Jacques Kallis


9. Graeme Smith


10. Hashim Amla


11. AB de Villiers


12. Faf du Plessis


13. Mark Boucher


14. Gary Kirsten



These players made a mark with the bat, the ball, or both in the longest format of the game.

South Africa has always been a strong contender for trophies, but they often fell short at the final hurdle:

World Cup semi-finals: 4 (1992, 1999, 2011, 2023)

Champions Trophy semi-finals: 5

T20 World Cup semi-finals: 2

T20 World Cup final: 1 (2024)

WTC Final: 1 (2025) — and now, champions!

 

Match Summary:

Day 1:
South Africa won the toss and chose to bowl. Many experts criticized the decision, calling it a mistake. But in the final innings, it proved valuable.
Australia was bowled out for 212 — a modest score. Webster and Smith contributed well, but Rabada was the star with a five-wicket haul.
However, South Africa also lost 4 quick wickets, thanks to the Australian bowlers.


Day 2:
Australia seemed to dominate as South Africa was bowled out for just 138.
It looked like Australia had the game in their control.
But the South African bowlers came back strong — especially Lungi Ngidi, who dismissed Smith.
By the end of the day, Australia had lost 8 wickets.

Day 3:
Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood put on a solid, unbreakable partnership. Starc was the top scorer in Australia’s second innings.
But after their dismissal, Australia was bowled out.
South Africa’s start was shaky — Richelton was out in the second over. But then came a historic run chase, led by Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, and Temba Bavuma.

Day 4:
South Africa needed only 69 runs to win — and they chased it easily.
Markram’s brilliant 136* sealed the victory.

WORLD TEST CHAMPIONS! 🏆

A phenomenal performance from a phenomenal team.
Special mentions to:

Aiden Markram (Player of the Match)

Kagiso Rabada

Captain Temba Bavuma

Matthew Webster

Marco Jansen

Lungi Ngidi


Well played, South Africa. You rose. 🌍🏏🔥तेरे 

पीछे होगी दुनिया, पागल बन
क्या बोला मैंने कुछ समझा, पागल बन

देखें तुझको लोग, तो पागल हो जाएँ,
इतना उम्दा, इतना आला — पागल बन
                                                  -Varun Aanand 

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