After a 27-year wait, South Africa has clinched the ICC World Test Championship 2025 (WTC Final 2025) title. In a historic final played at Lord's, the South African team defeated Australia by 5 wickets, creating history.
Sports News: South Africa ended a 27-year ICC trophy drought by defeating Australia in the final of the World Test Championship 2023-25. This match was played at the historic Lord's ground, and the South African team achieved a five-wicket victory, earning the honor of becoming World Test Champions for the first time.
However, despite this historic achievement, the South African team did not secure the number 1 spot in the ICC Test rankings. This has led to questions among fans about why, despite becoming Test champions, Africa did not reach the top position.
ICC Trophy After 27 Years
The South African team last won an ICC trophy in 1998, when they secured the ICC Knockout Trophy (now Champions Trophy). Since then, they reached several knockout stages but never won the final. This victory not only helps remove the team's "chokers" tag but could also give African cricket a new direction.
No Change in ICC Test Rankings
Despite their final victory, there was no significant change in South Africa's position in the latest ICC Test rankings. The Test rankings and the World Test Championship points system are different. The Test rankings are based entirely on recent performance, the strength of the opposition, and the results of home/away series. Winning the final secured the WTC title, but long-term performance holds more weight in the rankings.
Top Teams in Test Rankings:
- Australia - First
- South Africa - Second
- England - Third
- India - Fourth
- New Zealand - Fifth
- Sri Lanka - Sixth, Pakistan - Seventh
- West Indies - Eighth
- Bangladesh - Ninth
- Ireland - Tenth
- Afghanistan - Eleventh
- Zimbabwe - Twelfth
