The South African cricket team has always been known to be one of the favorites going into any ICC event. After failing to get past the semi-final stages in many tournaments, South Africa have become a force to be reckoned with once again. Proteas have qualified for the second ICC final in a space of 12 months.
Temba Bavuma has led his side well to help them qualify for their first-ever WTC final. The Proteas know that they come up against an Australian who are clinical and ruthless in the global tournaments. South Africa began their last WTC cycle with a 1-1 drawn series at home against India. Under-strength South Africa then toured New Zealand and lost the series 2-0. Series wins against West Indies, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan helped the Proteas side to reach the finals.
Here are top three South African players to watch out for in 2025 WTC final
3. Aiden Markram
30-year-old batter Aiden Markram has always played well against Australia with a healthy average of 60 from his four Test matches. Markram has scored 480 runs from the four Tests against the Aussies with two centuries and a fifty. The right-handed batter scored a terrific 143 in Durban during the 2018 series to show his talents with the bat. Markram then scored his Test best of 152 in the same series at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg to help the hosts win the game by 492 runs.
2. Keshav Maharaj
Veteran spinner Keshav Maharaj will prove to be a huge challenge for the Australian batters in the WTC finals at Lord’s. The 35-year-old has for years been South Africa’s main spinner with 198 wickets from 57 games. In nine Tests against the Aussies, Maharaj has picked 22 wickets with a best of 5/123, which is his only fifer. With the bat too, Maharaj has done substantially well, scoring 227 runs with a best of 53.
1. Kagiso Rabada
Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has always spat venom whenever he has come against Australia. The right-arm pacer has always reserved some of his fastest bowling spells against the Aussies. And this has been seen in Rabada’s ten Tests, which have yielded 49 wickets with a best of 6/54. Rabada has picked three fifers and one ten-wicket haul against Australia. The last time Rabada faced the Aussies was in 2022, where he picked 11 wickets from innings, including a brutal spell at the Gabba where he picked four wickets in each innings.
Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.
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