The final of the 2023-25 World Test Championship did not disappoint, with reigning champions Australia taken down by South Africa in the showpiece event…but what are the chances of a repeat in two years time?
While the Aussies arrived as the favourites at Lords, they were undone in a low-scoring finale that saw Aiden Markram’s century prove pivotal as the Proteas finally ended their trophy drought.
Winning the competition was seen as a crucial moment in the continued evolution of the South Africa cricket team. This, coupled with a silver medal in the 2024 T20 World Cup, means the Proteas are finally coming through on being one of the teams to back prior to a major competition.
However, is it too soon to see South Africa as a side that can genuinely contend across all three formats? Perhaps the true longevity of this side will be shown in the attempted defence of their World Test Championship crown?
Unlike the 50 over and 20 over World Cups, South Africa have no time between winning the Test Championship and defending it.
The 2025-27 WTC has already started, whereas teams will have a number of years between winning either World Cup and having to defend it at a tournament. This heaps the pressure on the reigning champions.
South Africa’s first test of the new season will see them travelling to take on India in November in arguably the toughest tour in the men’s game. Their two-match run in India will be incredibly tough, and it could give an early indication as to how they will fare defending their trophy.
The worry for South Africa will be that India look particularly strong right now. Despite losing Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, they still boast world class batters, while the dual threat of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj provides pace, power and wickets.
For Australia, the influences of players like Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja may be coming to an end with the former now 36 and the latter 38. However, players like Travis Head, Cameron Green and captain Pat Cummins have years left in their legs.
It is those India and Australia sides which are favourites with betting sites once again, and the likes of England and New Zealand are always capable of beating any side. Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the West Indies and Bangladesh are always capable on the pitch.
The quality of Test teams right now will make it tough for South Africa. The format of the competition means that there are no dead rubbers, with a side able to pick up WTC points even if the series is over as a contest.
This simply means there are no easy matches. Teams cannot afford to rest key players or fully rotate their squads. This means injuries or dips in form for players can become incredibly telling. Consistency will be key if South Africa are to challenge once again.
On a more positive note for South Africa, they have a lot of young talent they can lean on. Kagiso Rabada is just 30-years-old and will likely lead their attack for years to come. Marco Jansen will be firing down lightning-fast deliveries for years to come, while the hero from their final win over Australia in Aiden Markram is just 30.
The real worry will be eventually losing captain Temba Bavuma. The 35-year-old led his side to the trophy in 2025, with his combative and often gritty style of batting helping South Africa to both accelerate their own run scoring or keep the opposition at bay.
Ultimately, South Africa’s defence of their title may yet prove to be even harder than winning it for the first time. Indeed, no side has managed to defend their title. New Zealand were usurped by Australia in the 2021-23 season, with South Africa then downing the Aussies in 2025.
Clearly, winning the WTC consecutively is tough. Are South Africa good enough to go where others have failed to go across the tournament so far? Only time will tell.
This year has proved to be one of the most memorable years for South African cricket, but could 2026 hold even more success? The T20 World Cup is in sights and a major performance is expected.
The Champions Trophy in 2025 saw the Proteas make it to the semi-finals of the tournament in a run that could have ended in an appearance in the showpiece final.
They then took a major step forward in the Test arena by making it to the World Test Championship Final for the first time. Facing Australia in the final was a daunting task, but it did not stop them from securing one of the great Test wins at Lords’ Cricket Ground.
A low-scoring match saw no team score above 300 runs in an innings, but this did not dull the excitement. Indeed, Aiden Markram scored the one and only century of the match, and this proved decisive as the Proteas notched a five-wicket win and the trophy.
Their maiden appearance at the World Test Championship Final ended in South Africa securing silverware, something they have seemed a long way off in recent years. After having to watch Australia, England and India lift trophies across the formats in recent years, it was finally South Africa’s turn.
Now, the World Test Championship winners must turn their attention to the antithesis of the Test game as they build towards the T20 World Cup in 2026.
Currently ranked fifth in the world in the shortest format, South Africa are looking to build on an impressive run to the final in 2024, where they lost to India by just seven runs.
Losing by such a small margin will have been devastating, but it shows continued growth that they are not only making it to finals, but they are also now contesting them properly.
Bets.co.za have revealed that South Africa one of the favourites with the bookies to win the competition in 2026, sitting alongside Australia in the betting and ahead of fourth favourites England.
The odds are dominated by India, who are clearly the side to beat. More important for South Africa is the fact they are so far ahead of the likes of the West Indies, Pakistan and New Zealand.
So often, South Africa have fallen into the quartet behind the front three of India, Australia and England. Now, they make up the quartet at the top, ahead of the Windies, Black Caps and Pakistan. All of this is serious progress for South Africa.
Of course, the odds only mean so much at this stage. A string of defeats in the build up to the tournament will see things change, and this is without even mentioning what a loss in their opener would do.
However, a strong run of form in the build up to the tournament coupled with a solid start is vital. The teams in their group will also have an impact on their chances of winning the competition, but this will not be something that is decided until later in the year.
South African cricket has for so long been forced to watch on as others lift trophies and contest major finals. With a World Test Championship Final win under their belt along with consistent showings in the latter stages of major cricketing competitions, South Africa are clearly building towards something.
The major question for them will now revolve around whether they can make this momentum count across the formats by securing the T20 men’s World Cup trophy for the first time in their history in 2026.
Cricket photography is a thrilling niche that captures the drama and emotion of one of South Africa’s most beloved sports.
If you’re hoping to capture your child’s school game or take your first step into sports photography as a hobbyist, having the right camera is fundamental.
Fortunately, you don’t need to spend a fortune to get started. Here are some of the best budget cameras available in South Africa that deliver quality action shots without breaking the bank.
1. Canon EOS 250D (Rebel SL3)
Price range: R10,000 – R13,000 (with kit lens)
The Canon EOS 250D is one of the most compact DSLR cameras for sale on the market, making it ideal for beginners. It features a 24.1MP APS-C sensor and fast Dual Pixel autofocus, which is helpful when tracking bowlers mid-run or capturing that split-second shot of a batsman hitting a six.
The 250D also offers 5fps continuous shooting and a responsive touchscreen, which adds to its ease of use.
2. Nikon D5600
Price Range: R12,000 – R15,000 (with kit lens)
The Nikon D5600 is a solid option for cricket photography on a budget. It boasts a 39-point autofocus system and an articulating touchscreen, making it easier to shoot from various angles around the field.
Its 24.2MP sensor offers excellent image quality, and with the right telephoto lens, it performs well even in tricky lighting conditions, like under stadium floodlights.
3. Sony Alpha a6000
Price Range: R9,500 – R12,000 (body only)
This mirrorless option is great for those wanting a lighter setup from cameras for sale. The Sony a6000 is known for its fast 11fps continuous shooting and accurate 179-point hybrid autofocus system – essential features for capturing motion on the pitch.
Though the base price may only include the body, it’s a future-proof camera that performs well with telephoto lenses available on the used market in South Africa.
4. Panasonic Lumix FZ80/FZ82
Price Range: R6,000 – R8,500
For photographers who want an all-in-one solution without needing extra lenses, the Panasonic Lumix FZ80 (called FZ82 in some markets) is an excellent superzoom bridge camera.
It features a 60x zoom lens, optical image stabilisation, and 4K photo mode, great for snapping high-speed plays from the boundary without moving an inch.
5. Fujifilm X-T200
Price Range: R10,000 – R13,000 (with kit lens)
The Fujifilm X-T200 combines excellent image quality with a stylish design and strong performance in daylight conditions.
Its electronic viewfinder and intuitive controls make it a pleasure to use, and while not as fast as some DSLRs, its autofocus and burst speed (8fps) are more than capable for youth and amateur cricket matches.
Final Tip
Pair any of these cameras with a budget telephoto lens (such as a 55-250mm or 70-300mm) and you’ll be ready to capture everything from wicket celebrations to boundary dives.
South Africa’s used online market also offers good deals, so keep an eye on local platforms like for second-hand bargains.
Cricket photography doesn’t need to be expensive. With the right entry-level gear, patience, and a good eye, any aspiring photographer can start capturing those memorable moments on the pitch.
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