Ramaphosa hails Proteas heroes — ‘you’ve made South Africa proud!’

South Africa

Pretoria — South Africa’s national cricket team, the Proteas, made history on Saturday by defeating Australia by five wickets at Lord’s to win the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test Championship, prompting a wave of national pride and congratulations from President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The match, played at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, saw the Proteas clinch victory on the fourth day through a determined and disciplined team effort.

Key to the win was a match-defining second-innings partnership between opener Aiden Markram, who struck a commanding 136, and captain Temba Bavuma, who contributed 66 crucial runs.

Their partnership steered South Africa out of a precarious position and set the stage for a memorable chase against a formidable Australian side. The bowlers, led by pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada, ensured sustained pressure throughout the match, restricting Australia from gaining the upper hand.

President Ramaphosa praised the team’s performance, calling it a victory for the whole nation.

“Coach Shukri Conrad, captain Bavuma and the team have done South Africa proud,” Ramaphosa said in a statement issued on Saturday.

“They started the match as underdogs but that indomitable spirit, that is a characteristic of our nation, carried the team through. Your win is a major boost for cricket in South Africa and you have inspired a new generation of cricketers,” he added.

The President also called on South Africans to give the World Test Champions a hero’s welcome when they return home this week.

The triumph marks one of the most significant achievements in South African cricket history, signaling a resurgence for the Proteas on the global stage and ending a long-standing drought in ICC silverware.

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