On Saturday, the Proteas wrote their names in the history books of cricket by beating Australia by five wickets at Lord’s in London for the first-ever World Cup win in the sport for the nation.

South Africa won their last eight Tests in the World Test Championship cycle to qualify for the final and went on to win the coveted mace. Following the historic win, the batter Aiden Markram, who scored 136 in South Africa’s second innings to lead the change, said it is a wonderful feeling knowing that they can finally bury the ‘chokers’ tag after 34 years without managing to win a World Cup in any of the three formats.

Aiden Markram enjoying a beer with an old school friend. Photo: Cricinfo

“I mean, it would be great not to have to hear it again. That’s for sure,” said Markram. 

“In terms of it motivating you, there’s always going to be external things that can motivate you, but it’s not your sole purpose for playing. So to have got the job done and to literally have got the job done and to get rid of that is quite a big thing for this team, I feel.”

“Markram lauded the captain, Temba Bavuma, who scored 66 in the second innings while batting with a left-hamstring injury. Markram said Bavuma deserves all the credit for their success, and he led them through thick and thin by setting the example.

“Yeah, both his knocks were huge,” Markram added.

“To see his hammy go was obviously a bit worrying. But then we got to tea, I think it was, and we chatted in the changing room. 

And he said he feels like he can still keep going. But he wanted to know from my side if the twos that are becoming ones would affect me.

Temba Bavuma. Photo: ICC

“So I said there’s no chance. It’s about partnership, staying out there for long, getting the ball even softer, even older, because that’s obviously when batting became a lot easier. 

“And that’s exactly what he did. And he still actually managed to run twos and threes.

“So I think there was a lot of adrenaline there, but a lot of leadership and character that he showed. And again, those may not be the big, big numbers but the ones that really make a difference, and that was Temba in this game for us.”

‘In one word, it’s special’

Bavuma, in turn, said as a team, they have drawn a lot of inspiration from the Springboks, and the win is far bigger than their actions on the field, but it is something that resembles the pride, fighting spirit, and togetherness of a nation with a dark past.

“Yeah, I think it’ll probably only really settle in over the next couple of days. I liked how Sipokazi Sokanyile (former Proteas media manager, now with the ICC) introduced me there, that was quite something,” said Bavuma.

“But if I had to sum it all up in one word, it’s special. Special for this group, special for me personally, and special for our country.

Proteas. Photo: Cricinfo

“I’m not the biggest rugby fan, but I watch the Springboks, and what I really admire is how they’ve embraced what it truly means to be South African, with all our history, our complexities, and our pride. They’ve managed to capture the hearts of a nation, and I think that’s something we’ve drawn inspiration from.

“South Africa is unique. Our present and future are deeply shaped by our past. 

“And for this team, there were a lot of doubters about the path we chose to get here. But I believe the way we played would have silenced most of that noise. Right now, special just feels like the right word.”

The Proteas flight from London will land at 09:25 at the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek mvh