South Africa celebrated a historic moment as the ICC Test mace arrived in Johannesburg, marking the nation’s first-ever World Test Championship (WTC) triumph. The Proteas squad, fresh from their victory over Australia at Lord’s, was greeted at the airport by thousands of jubilant supporters before being honored at Cricket South Africa (CSA) headquarters.
A Hero’s Welcome
Temba Bavuma and his team received a red-carpet reception, reflecting the immense pride and excitement among South African fans. The country’s sports minister, Gayton McKenzie, publicly praised Bavuma, calling him “the greatest cricket captain we’ve ever had,” highlighting the emotional significance of this achievement for the nation.
“We are proud as a team but we are even more happy and proud that we’ve made our people proud,” Bavuma said. “If you look at this team and the guys at the helm, we have done it the proper South African way. That’s unique to this group.”
A Long-Awaited Triumph
South Africa’s win in the WTC final is a landmark moment, ending a long wait for a world title since their return to international cricket in 1991. The Proteas had previously reached the knockout stages in 18 of 34 major ICC tournaments but had never lifted a global trophy—until now.
The Road to Success
Central to this transformation has been coach Shukri Conrad, appointed in January 2023, who has emphasized authenticity, team unity, and a focus on getting the job done over style points.
“If they can be their authentic selves off the field, then they can be that on the field,” Conrad explained. “It’s about getting the job done. We just get on with it. We try and find a way. We don’t see obstacles. We see opportunities and we get behind each other. That’s the philosophy.”
CSA’s management and board members were also credited for putting the right structures in place, contributing to a stable environment for the team’s growth and success.
A Symbol of Hope and Renewal
The ICC Test mace, weighing five kilograms and crafted from sterling silver and gold plate, is now a symbol of South Africa’s resilience and resurgence on the cricketing stage. After years of administrative turmoil, the country’s cricket leadership has ushered in a new era, culminating in a historic global triumph.
“This restores a lot of belief in South African cricket,” said Enoch Nkwe, CSA’s director of national teams. “We’ve taken a lot of punches but we’ve never bent our backs. There it is. We brought it to all South Africans.”
South Africa’s WTC victory is more than just a trophy—it’s a testament to perseverance, unity, and a new dawn for Proteas cricket.
