Six legendary figures from Australian and South African cricket have revealed their picks for the winner of the World Test Championship Final 2025.
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Australia vs South Africa: A Battle for Test Supremacy at Lord’s
It’s all come down to this, Australia vs South Africa. Lord’s. The World Test Championship final. Two deserving teams set to clash at the Mecca of cricket. Australia, the defending champions, are playing their second consecutive WTC final. South Africa, making their debut in the summit clash, arrive with hunger and nothing to lose.
Australia enter as overwhelming favourites — and rightly so. This is a team that thrives on the big stage, already crowned champions in both ODIs and Tests. Adding another ICC title to their cabinet would only affirm their legacy. But standing in their way is a fearless Proteas side with no baggage and no expectations, except the one they place on themselves. South Africa’s history in ICC events is well known — mostly for heartbreak — yet their fighting spirit is undeniable. Ask Ricky Ponting’s team what happened at the Bullring on March 12, 2006, and you’ll be reminded of the Proteas’ ability to shock giants.
Still, in ICC knockout encounters, Australia have almost always had the upper hand. The infamous 1999 Edgbaston semi-final, the 2023 World Cup semi-final in India — history leans heavy in favour of the Aussies. Yet, if there are any two teams that can go toe-to-toe, it’s these two. The buildup is immense. South Africa haven’t lost a Test under Temba Bavuma’s leadership, while Pat Cummins boasts an unbeaten record in ICC finals. Add to that South Africa’s current seven-match winning streak in Tests, with ‘Lord’ Bavuma leading from the front in sublime form.
Despite the promising build-up, the external narrative feels skewed. A panel of legendary former players from both nations shared their predictions ahead of the final, and the result? A landslide in favour of Australia. The odds are stacked, but cricket, as ever, loves a good upset.
Here is how some of the legends reacted:
It all comes down to this. Australia. South Africa. Lord’s. The World Test Championship final. Two deserving teams take centre stage at the Mecca of cricket. Australia, the defending champions, are eyeing a second straight title. South Africa, making their maiden appearance in a WTC final, arrive with grit and a point to prove.
Australia walk in as overwhelming favourites — and for good reason. They are the reigning ODI and Test world champions, a side accustomed to thriving in high-pressure ICC events. Their squad is stacked with experience, and their bowling attack — led by Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood — is as formidable as ever. In contrast, South Africa enter as underdogs, but with momentum on their side. They haven’t lost a Test under Temba Bavuma’s leadership and are riding a seven-match winning streak. History hasn’t been kind to them in ICC knockouts, but they remain a side capable of delivering upsets.
Still, the narrative leading into this final is lopsided. A chorus of former greats — Michael Clarke, Mark Boucher, Aaron Finch, Shaun Pollock, Brad Haddin, and Allan Donald — have all tipped Australia to lift the mace. Clarke lauded the Aussies’ experience and world-class bowling unit. Boucher admitted they’ll need to “come from behind.” Pollock and Donald acknowledged South Africa’s resilience, but were realistic about the odds. Haddin singled out Hazlewood and Cummins as the key to Australia’s dominance. Not a single vote went South Africa’s way.
And yet, if Temba Bavuma is looking for motivation, he needn’t look far. The world may have already written the script — but South Africa still hold the pen.