Cricket
Proteas finally bury ‘chokers’ tag with historic triumph at Lord’s─── MORGAN PIEK 11:51 Tue, 17 Jun 2025
The Proteas have finally shaken off the “chokers” label after winning the World Test Championship final at Lord’s in London.
On Saturday, nearly 34 years after their readmission into international cricket, the senior Proteas men’s team beat Australia by five wickets to be crowned World Champions for the first time.
In the past, South Africa featured in 12 semi-finals across the Cricket World Cup, T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy tournaments. Their only previous success at a major ICC event came in 1998, when they beat the West Indies by four wickets in Dhaka to win the inaugural Champions Trophy.
Proteas are losing in the 2024 T20 World Cup final to India in the Caribbean. Photo: Cricinfo
Proteas batter Aiden Markram, whose superb 136 in the second innings laid the foundation for the victory, said the “chokers” tag can finally be put to rest.
“I mean, it would be great not to hear it again – that’s for sure,” Markram said.
“In terms of motivation, there are always external things that can push you, but it’s never your sole reason for playing. To have gone out there, done the job, and put that tag to bed is a big deal for this team.”
Markram emphasised that winning a world title in the longest format of the game is as big as it gets – and in doing so, the team has silenced many of the doubts from the past.
“It’s as big and as tough as it gets. All the questions that have been asked over the years have fortunately now been answered.
“In my opinion, Test cricket is the ultimate challenge. It’s several days of hard, quality cricket. In a T20 or even a one-dayer, one player can change the game. But in Tests, it takes a full team effort to get over the line.”
He also praised key performances from teammates throughout the match.
Allan Donald being run out in the 1999 Cricket World Cup semi-final draw against Australia at Edgbaston in Birmingham. Photo: Cricinfo
“The guys stood up when it mattered. Something as small as Wiaan Mulder’s partnership on Friday – that was massive in seeing off the new ball.
“And then Temba’s two innings – both were huge. It’s not always about big milestones. Sometimes it’s those quieter moments and partnerships that swing the momentum. That makes a big difference in finals.”
The Proteas now turn their attention to Zimbabwe, with the first Test of their upcoming series starting on 28 June at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
