In a display of true sportsmanship and leadership, Australian captain Pat Cummins has defended South Africa's journey to the World Test Championship (WTC) final, dismissing any doubts about their deserving place in the competition. This comes after South Africa clinched a thrilling five-wicket victory over Australia at Lord's on June 14, 2025, securing their first-ever WTC title.

Cummins' comments are particularly noteworthy given the criticism leveled against the WTC format, with some observers questioning the fairness of South Africa reaching the final without playing either England or Australia in the two-year cycle of league matches. South Africa played a total of 12 matches during the 2023-2025 cycle, winning eight, losing three, and drawing one.

Addressing these concerns head-on, Cummins stated emphatically, "In terms of the way they made it here, they made it fair and square. Everyone has a slightly different route to make the final, but they absolutely deserve to make the final and showed why they are very deserving champions." His words carry significant weight, coming from the captain of the team that was defeated and the defending WTC champion.

Cummins also praised South African captain Temba Bavuma's leadership and performance. "I thought the way he (Bavuma) played was fantastic," Cummins said. He further added, "In terms of leading, it's always pretty hard unless you're playing underneath someone to judge them so I don't know about his captaincy but, from the outside, he looked good."

Furthermore, Cummins acknowledged Aiden Markram's match-winning innings of 136, describing him as "pretty hard to dislodge." He lauded Markram's ability to keep the scoreboard ticking over and highlighted his well-respected reputation within the cricketing fraternity, having played alongside him in the IPL.

South Africa's path to the final was marked by strong performances, particularly at home. After a series of wins against West Indies and Bangladesh, South Africa had a chance to reach the WTC Final 2025. They also beat Sri Lanka 2-0 at home. The first test against Pakistan was a close affair which South Africa won, ensuring their place in the final. They finished at the top of the points table with a PCT of 69.44.

The WTC final victory is a significant milestone for South Africa, marking their first ICC title since 1998. It is a testament to their resilience, determination, and the quality of their cricket. The team overcame challenges, including criticism of their selection policies and a controversial series against New Zealand where they didn't send their main players, to emerge as deserving champions.

Cummins' gracious response not only acknowledges South Africa's achievement but also underscores the spirit of sportsmanship that should prevail in cricket. His words serve as a reminder that victory is sweeter when earned through fair competition and that true champions recognize and respect the accomplishments of their opponents.

With the WTC final now concluded, both Australia and South Africa will look ahead to the next cycle, with Australia scheduled to tour West Indies for a three-match Test series. As for South Africa, they have proven their mettle on the world stage and will undoubtedly be a force to reckon with in the years to come.