WTC Final: Bavuma Reveals Australia’s ‘Chokers’ Jibe, Markram Leads South Africa to Historic Title

 Temba Bavuma, captain of South Africa’s World Test Championship (WTC)-winning side, has revealed that the Australian team attempted to rattle the Proteas with verbal jabs referencing their infamous “chokers” tag during the WTC final at Lord’s on Saturday, June 14. According to Bavuma, an Australian player attempted to provoke a mental lapse in the South African dressing room by suggesting the team could suffer a batting collapse while chasing a modest target.

With just 69 runs required and eight wickets in hand heading into Day 4, South Africa were poised to claim their first major ICC title since 1998. Bavuma and Aiden Markram’s commanding 143-run stand on Day 3 had laid the foundation, and although the skipper fell early the next morning, Markram remained composed, stitching crucial partnerships with Tristan Stubbs and David Bedingham. The job was ultimately completed before lunch, with Bedingham and Kyle Verreynne seeing the team home in the extended first session.

Reflecting on the final day, Bavuma highlighted the subtle yet pointed attempt by Australia to revive old psychological wounds.

“Playing against Australia has felt different in recent years. They’re not as vocal anymore—less chatter, but their aggression is still evident through body language and skill,” Bavuma said in the post-match press conference. “Of course, the old tag about us being chokers surfaced this morning. One of their players remarked that we might lose our eight wickets in under 60 runs. I heard it clearly. Aiden kept saying ‘lock in’ after every over—let’s give them nothing. That became our focus.”

South Africa’s triumph not only ended a 26-year drought without a global men’s ICC trophy but also exorcised the demons of past knockout heartbreaks that had long defined the team’s narrative.

Markram, who was named Player of the Match for his sublime 136 off 207 deliveries, acknowledged the psychological weight of the “chokers” label and expressed relief at finally putting it to rest.

“It would be great to never hear it again—that’s for sure,” said Markram. “Of course, things like that can motivate you, but they’re not the reason you play. To have actually got the job done and shed that label—it’s a huge moment for this team.”

The Proteas’ emphatic victory at Lord’s marks a defining chapter in South African cricket history, signalling not just the end of an era of near-misses, but the beginning of a new legacy forged under pressure and against expectation.