I believe we can make the [WTC] final again

Aiden Markram (Image: Reuters)

Aiden Markram believes South Africa have the determination and quality to reach a second consecutive ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final, with the Proteas eager to build on their historic triumph in 2025 as they prepare for the third and deciding Test against Australia in Cape Town. The hosts defeated Australia by an innings and 31 runs in the second Test to level the three-match series 1-1, setting up a winner-takes-all contest beginning on Tuesday. Markram, who played a starring role in South Africa’s maiden WTC title triumph at Lord’s in June 2025, said the team’s experience of reaching the final had strengthened its desire to repeat the achievement in the ongoing 2025-27 cycle. South Africa defeated Australia by five wickets in the 2025 WTC final, with Markram scoring a match-winning 136 in the fourth innings.

Because we would have had to do it the extremely hard way,” Markram said, as quoted by cricinfo, a lot was said last year about us making the final and the road to it, so now there’s an extra fire and desire to get into the final,. South Africa will head into the series decider at Newlands with renewed confidence after producing a commanding comeback in Gqeberha. “I believe we can make the [WTC] final again. The achievement marked a landmark moment for the Proteas, who had endured years of near misses in major ICC tournaments. Rabada finished with four wickets in the second innings, while Mulder claimed three as South Africa completed an emphatic victory. The win not only levelled the series but also gave the reigning world Test champions an opportunity to defend their home record and strengthen their position in the WTC standings.