South Africa carried the chokers tag for more than two decades, and the win in the World Test Championship final over Australia will help in changing the perception. South Africa always entered ICC events as one of the favourites, but weirdly failed to get over the line every time. Their biggest choke in recent times was the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 final against India, where they lost the game despite just 30 required in 28 balls, with David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen at the crease. The defeat was heartbreaking, and it only added to the desperation of winning an ICC event.

Ahead of the WTC final, not many gave South Africa a realistic chance of winning, but the team had belief. Under the able leadership of Temba Bavuma, South Africa did the unthinkable and won the WTC. They had their backs against the wall many times in the Test, but came back strongly with a fitting response every time. Even the 282 run chase was not easy, as only once a score of over 200 was chased at Lord's since 2005, but the Proteas defied all odds, courtesy of Aiden Markram (136) and Bavuma's(66) brilliance with the bat.

Australia tried everything in their arsenal, but South Africa were too good. The defending champions even resorted to sledging, but that didn't work either. Bavuma was happy that South Africa gave a befitting reply to the doubters.

“While we were batting we could hear the Aussies using that dreaded word: choke,” said Bavuma. “We came in with a lot of belief and a lot of doubters. We got ourselves into the final, there were doubters as to the route we took. This win squashes that. Here’s an opportunity for us as a nation, divided as we are, to unite.”

“As a country, it’s a chance for us to rejoice in something, to forget about our issues and really come together. I hope it inspires and continues to inspire our country. For this group of players, there were a lot of doubters but the way we played would have wiped all of that out,” continued the Protean skipper.

Meanwhile, Aiden Markram was hopeful that South Africa won't hear the dreaded 'choker' word anymore as all the questions of the past were answered.

“It’ll be great to not have to hear that again. To have got the job done and to get rid of that is quite a big thing for this team. All the questions that have been asked in the past have now been answered,” concluded the sole centurion of the match.

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