Thousands of jubilant fans gathered at the Johannesburg main airport on Wednesday to welcome home the newly crowned World Test Championship (WTC) winners - South Africa.
Captain Temba Bavuma and head coach Shukri Conrad led the team’s triumphant arrival, proudly holding the glittering WTC Mace aloft as thunderous cheers echoed through the terminal. The Proteas clinched the title with a commanding five-wicket win over Australia at Lord’s last Saturday, ending a 27-year wait for a major ICC trophy.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Bavuma and Conrad were the first to emerge, beaming with pride, before the rest of the squad followed, each player clutching a bouquet of flowers, shaking hands, signing autographs, and sharing warm embraces with the supporters.
The arrival hall was filled with flags, chants, and emotional celebrations, as fans young and old honoured a historic feat that saw South Africa win their first ICC title since the 1998 Knockout Trophy. Key to the victory was Aiden Markram’s brilliant 136 in the second innings after a first-innings duck, and Kagiso Rabada’s match-winning nine-wicket haul.
WATCH:Looking ahead, South Africa return to action on June 28 in a two-Test series against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. Bavuma will continue to lead, though Markram and Rabada will be rested. Among the five uncapped inclusions are 19-year-old sensation Lhuan-dre Pretorius and top-order batter Lesego Senokwane - both standout performers in the domestic four-day competition.
After the Test series, the Proteas will participate in a seven-match T20I tournament against Zimbabwe and New Zealand in Harare, continuing their post-WTC momentum with fresh faces and renewed belief.
SA squad for Zimbabwe Tests: Temba Bavuma (capt), David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Corbin Bosch, Tony de Zorzi, Zubayr Hamza, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Lesego Senokwane, Prenelan Subrayen, Kyle Verreynne, Codi Yusuf
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