South African cricket has a new chapter etched in glory. After defeating Australia by five wickets in a gripping final at Lord’s Cricket Ground on June 14, the Proteas returned home to a thunderous, emotional welcome on Wednesday morning. Hundreds gathered at OR Tambo International Airport, waving flags and chanting songs as the World Test Champions walked through the arrivals gate.
This was more than just a homecoming. It was history being celebrated in real-time.
A Nation Celebrates Together
Among those present at the airport were South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Gayton McKenzie, students from the players’ former schools like Pretoria Boys High School, and proud family members. Wiaan Mulder’s brother was spotted in the crowd, along with kids holding handmade posters and wearing green jerseys.
The players, dressed in custom ‘Champions’ t-shirts, smiled, signed autographs, posed for photos, and accepted flowers with humility. From the airport, the team made its way to Cricket South Africa’s offices in the city’s northern suburbs, where a red carpet and a live brass band awaited them.
Bavuma: “We Made South Africans Proud”
Speaking at a press conference later in the day, captain Temba Bavuma was visibly moved.
“It’s quite overwhelming. We haven’t seen people like that at the airport before,” Bavuma said. “As players, you don’t really realise what you’ve done until you see the emotion in people’s eyes.”
“We are proud as a team, but even more proud that we’ve made our people proud. We’ve done it the proper South African way — and that’s what makes this group unique.”
Indeed, this WTC journey was defined not just by results, but by resilience and unity. Nine different players won Player of the Match awards, and 15 players either scored centuries or bagged five-wicket hauls — a record in WTC history.
More Than a Trophy
Bavuma stressed that this victory goes beyond cricket. It’s symbolic for a nation constantly striving to overcome odds — on and off the field.
“What we’ve achieved speaks to every budding cricketer and South African out there. Our story hasn’t been easy. But we got here,” he said. “If we can do the impossible, others can too.”
The win at Lord’s was South Africa’s first ICC trophy in over two decades, and their first Test championship in the modern era. That fact alone made this homecoming emotional for many fans who had lived through past heartbreaks.
Future in Focus: White-Ball Ambitions
With the 2027 ODI World Cup being co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, attention is already turning to the future. Enoch Nkwe, who took over as Director of Cricket in 2022, has put a long-term strategy in place with Shukri Conrad at the helm as head coach across formats.
Bavuma, expected to continue leading the ODI side, believes this WTC momentum can be carried into white-ball cricket too.
“We’re quietly optimistic. There’s no reason we can’t repeat what we’ve done here,” he said. “We’ve already had a little chat about it. Shukri always keeps you thinking — there’s always something to work on.”
A New Legacy Begins
For South Africa, the WTC triumph isn’t just a celebratory moment — it’s a cultural touchstone. It marks a resurgence, a statement, and a start. With young stars stepping up, a united squad, and a driven leadership team, the Proteas are not just back. They’re building something far bigger
