MANY may look at South Africa’s batting performance at Lord’s on Friday and be surprised, and some may even be shocked that this batting unit, one that is heavily criticised, has been able to get the team within 69 runs of the country’s first world title.
However, for those who pay close attention to detail, they will be able to remember that this unit has done this before in the recent past.
When India toured South Africa four years ago, after thumping the Proteas by 113 runs during the Boxing Day Test in Centurion, where they bowled the Proteas out for under 200 runs in both innings, the Proteas bounced back in style to win the series 2-1.
It all started at the Bullring where Dean Elgar and Temba Bavuma chased down 240 runs to level the series and concluded at the picturesque Newlands in Cape Town where Keegan Petersen and Rassie van der Dussen helped South Africa chase down another 200 plus target to seal the 2-1 series victory over a team that was ranked number in Tests at the time.
Elgar, Petersen and Van der Dussen might not be a part of this group at Lord’s; however, it was still a Proteas batting unit that was labelled as ‘inexperienced’ and as the ‘weak links’ in a team that had a bowling unit filled with superstars, including Kagiso Rabada.
Despite all the labels, the side was able to clinch a series victory, a victory that forced world cricket to sit up and take note of the Proteas test side.
A century of the highest class from Aiden Markram! 💯🔥
Composed under pressure, fearless in execution, what a time for a knock for the ages. 🇿🇦💪
A phenomenal player rising to the occasion when it matters most. Take a bow, Markram, pure brilliance! 🔥👏 #WTCFinal #WozaNawe… pic.twitter.com/8a56K43jpf
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) June 13, 2025
On Friday, Bavuma and Aiden Markram reminded the world that this current generation carried the same DNA as well, a DNA deeply rooted in the concept of ‘Proteas fire’, a concept that is synonymous with grit and fight.
Having last scored a century at Newlands a year ago, Markram (102*) scored a century at Lord’s, one that will undoubtedly carry more weight than any of the preceding tons he has scored in Test match cricket.
The 30-year-old unleashed the cover drives, the backfoot strokes through the covers and the pull shots that have earned him the nickname ‘Sauce’ among his teammates.
A supreme captain’s knock from Temba Bavuma! 👑🔥 Patience, class, and unshakable resilience at the crease.
A well-structured, high-pressure half-century 👏🏏. #WTCFinal #WozaNawe #ProteasWTCFinal pic.twitter.com/T75CVwVPsM
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) June 13, 2025
At the other end, a limping Bavuma took us back to the heroics of Graeme Smith in Australia when he batted with a broken finger.
The captain soldiered on at Lord’s despite having suffered yet another hamstring strain after completing a single early in his innings.
His courage, tenacity and sense of responsibility saw him score his 25th Test half-century as he finished unbeaten on 65 runs at Lord’s on Friday.
Yes, if South Africa gets over the line tomorrow, it will be the country’s first world title; however, it won’t be the first time that this team has defied the odds.
