WTC Final 2025: South Africa announce their playing 11 ahead of AUS vs SA clash

South Africa has announced their playing XI for the World Test Championship Final (WTC Final) starting on June 11 against Australia at Lord's. The defending champion, Australia, is the clear favorite to win again and win the trophy, and South Africa will have to start the match as the underdog side. The team, led by Temba Bavuma, chose to go with a well-rounded playing combination so that they can offer the best fight to the Baggy Green brigade.

The Protean has shown some bold decisions with Wiaan Mulder and Dane Paterson. They put Mulder at the number three position; previously, in this position, he batted against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. But the WTC final will be a different ball game, and Bavuma believes that his young cricketer can make an impact from this important batting position. 

"Mulder is quite young in that position. But I think having played with Mulder and having seen him and the way he has grown in the last two years within the red-ball format. It's about giving him a lot more confidence, keeping backing him, and just allowing him to do what he does best," Bavuma said.

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South Africa has made some bold decisions

Bavuma also explained why they opted to go with Lungi Ngidi over Dane Paterson. Paterson was in a promising form against Pakistan. SA's bowling line-up features only one spinner, Keshav Maharaj, and three regular pacers: Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, and Marco Jansen. 

"Probably one of the tougher decisions that has been made. We see what Dane Paterson did for us at the end of last season," the South Africa skipper said. 

South Africa playing XI

Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma (c), Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, and Lungi Ngidi.