WTC Final 2025, SA vs AUS: South Africa Announce Playing XI For Ultimate Test Against Australia, Tony de Zorzi Misses Out

South Africa have announced the playing XI for the World Test Championship final against Australia. The match will take place at the Lord's Cricket Ground and will start at 3 PM IST on June 11, Wednesday.

South Africa playing XI: Temba Bavuma (c), Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verrynne, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi.

South Africa Batting Lineup Can Flex Its Muscles

Aiden Markram is expected to open the batting alongside Ryan Rickelton who has been the torchbearer for the Proteas in this WTC cycle. The Mumbai Indians star happens to be South Africa's top scorer in WTC 2023-25 and will have the responsibility to take down Australia's fast bowlers. The batting lineup will be headlined by captain Bavuma, Markram and Tristan Stubbs. Wiaan Mulder will be at No.3 and Bavuma backed him to flourish on this occasion.

As quoted by the ICC, he said, “Mulder is quite young in that position. But I think having played with Mulder, having seen him and the way he has grown in the last two years within the red-ball format.”

Also Read: WTC Final, SA vs AUS: Date, Time, Venue, Squad, Live Streaming, Here's All You Need To Know

Kagiso Rabada Will Spearhead South Africa Bowling Attack

South Africa's highest wicket-taker in WTC 23-25, Kagiso Rabada, will headline the bowling lineup. Lungi Ngidi has been preferred over Dane Peterson who showed his trickery against Pakistan. Bavuma insisted it was a very hard call to take up and Ngidi got the nod from a tactical perspective. He told ICC, “But it was more from a tactical point of view. Probably a little bit more pace from Lungi, guess he's a bit taller as well."

Marco Jansen's all-around ability will add a bit more balance to the Proteas lineup. The left-arm lanky pacer has been in good form and could pose a great threat to Australia's top order. Keshav Maharaj is the sole spinner in the playing XI and with the existing dry weather in England, he might have a bigger role to play.

Also Read: Australia Make Big Change To Playing XI For WTC 2025 Final, Marnus Labuschagne Likely To Play New Role Against South Africa