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It’s now over to South Africa to end the curse and break free from the ‘trophyless’ jokes once and forever as the Proteas take on Australia in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final from June 11 at Lord’s, in what’s unquestionably the single biggest game of cricket in the country’s history.
This will be the first Test between the two sides outside Australia in seven years (since the Sandpaper Gate), and so it’s a one-off Test that contains dozens of subplots. Equally, it’s set to be a fascinating battle on the field, with there not being much to separate these two sides, particularly on current form at a neutral venue.
This is your ultimate guide to the WTC Final — from recent form, to key battles, to playing conditions, to EVERYTHING!
The Rules & Playing Conditions
Will Australia vs South Africa be a five-day or six-day affair?
As most of you will remember, the inaugural WTC Final between India and New Zealand ended on Day 6 (reserve day), with the Kiwis emerging victorious. The 2023-2025 WTC Final (AUS vs SA) will take place from June 11 to June 15 but there will be a reserve day (June 16) to make up for the overs should rain play spoilsport.
But note: The reserve day will only be used if there is rain interference. If the allotted overs are bowled and the game ends in a draw after five days, there won’t be a sixth day; the result will remain a draw.
Who will win the title if the match is drawn?
In case of a draw or a tie, the trophy will be shared by both Australia and South Africa. They’ll be declared as joint-winners, as there's no advantage for teams finishing first.
Is there rain prediction for the final?
We’re talking about London here, so the threat of rain is inevitable. But the good news is that, apart from Day 2 (Thursday), there is less than a 20% chance of rain in each of the remaining days. Considering there is a reserve day too, we will definitely get a result.
The Head-To-Head Battle
What does Australia and South Africa’s recent Test form look like?
Australia in their last five Tests: W W W W D
South Africa in their last five Tests: W W W W W
What does Australia and South Africa’s recent Test form at Lord’s look like?
South Africa’s last five Tests at Lord’s: W L W D W
Australia’s last five Tests at Lord’s: W D W L W
What have the recent H2H results between these two sides looked like?
In the last 5 H2H meetings between Australia and South Africa, both sides have won two Tests each, with there being one draw. Please note, however, that in the three-match series between these two sides in 2022/23, Australia emerged victorious 2-0. South Africa’s two wins came back in 2018, in the infamous Sandpaper Gate series.
In-form and key players to watch out for
Australia
Steve Smith
Has four hundreds in his last five Tests, was batting as well as he ever did the last time he donned the whites, and averages 58.33 at Lord’s. Smith’s last 5 innings at Lord’s: 110, 34, 92, 215, 58. He also scored a ton in the 2023 WTC Final, and also in the last Test he played against South Africa in 2023.
Alex Carey
Averaging 44.2 in Tests since the start of 2024 and smashed a career-best 156 in the last Test he played (vs Sri Lanka). He’s averaging 85.33 in seven first-class innings in 2025, and was also in sublime form the last time he played for Australia, in the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Josh Hazlewood
Slight question marks over fitness, but Josh Hazlewood ended 2024 with 35 wickets at 13.6. In 3 games at Lord’s, he’s taken 13 wickets at an average of 26.20. In the recently concluded IPL 2025, Hazlewood was the pick of the bowlers as he led RCB to their maiden IPL title. Hazlewood registered match figures of 5/57 the last time he played South Africa in Tests (in 2023).
South Africa
Temba Bavuma
The skipper has been one of the best Test batters in the world in the last two years, averaging 67 across his last 8 Tests. Bavuma’s last 7 innings in Tests: 106, 31, 40, 78, 66, 70, 113. He averages 40.25 against Australia in Tests and also averages 40 at Lord’s -- South Africa’s Mr. Reliable.
Kyle Verreynne
Kyle Verreynne has three centuries in his last six Tests, including a ton in the last Test he played against Pakistan in Cape Town. He was one of the standouts in what was a miserable tour of Australia for the Proteas in 2022/23, smashing multiple fifties to go along with a counter-attacking 33. Excellent batting with the tail, and is currently in the form of his life.
Kagiso Rabada
Rabada is still unquestionably South Africa’s trump card despite coming off a month-long suspension. In his last 13 Tests, Rabada has taken 60 wickets at an average of 19.80. He also averages a staggering 19.30 at Lord’s, having taken 13 wickets in 2 games. Against Australia, he’s taken 49 wickets at an average of 23.1.
Key Player Battles to watch out for
Steve Smith vs Keshav Maharaj: The left-arm spinner has surprisingly dismissed the Australian talisman four times, averaging just 33.0. Expect Rabada (32 avg vs Smith) and Maharaj to be introduced into the attack straight away once Smith walks out to bat.
Usman Khawaja vs Kagiso Rabada: Rabada has got his man five times, with Khawaja averaging just 30.8 in Tests. Rabada could very well do to Khawaja what Bumrah did in the 2024/25 BGT.
Aiden Markram vs Pat Cummins: Markram has been dismissed by Cummins, and he averages just 22.5 against him. However, watch out for Markram vs Starc: against the left-armer, Markram has scored 82 runs while getting dismissed just once.
Temba Bavuma vs Josh Hazlewood: Josh Hazlewood is the only current Australian bowler who averages less than 35 against Bavuma in Tests - he’s dismissed him twice at an average of 23. Bavuma has been mighty impressive against the others, so the onus might be on Hazlewood to get the big fish.
What will be the likely Playing XIs of both teams?
Australia: Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (capt), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon
South Africa: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma (capt), David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Dane Paterson