South Africa vs Australia — Probable Playing XI for WTC Final 2025

The stage is set for a blockbuster clash: battle-hardened Australia, the top-ranked Test side, take on an in-form South Africa in the ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 at Lord’s, running from June 11–15, with June 16 reserved as a buffer for rain delays.

Australia’s Journey & XI

Australia secured their spot following dominant performances in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (3–1 win over India) and a clean sweep in Sri Lanka, running second on the WTC standings.

Probable XI

Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Alex Carey (wk), Cameron Green, Pat Cummins ©, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon

• Konstas & Khawaja lead the charge at the top — a blend of flair and experience. 
• Labuschagne, Smith & Head form a seasoned middle order, brimming with consistency at Lord’s and beyond.
• Carey returns behind the stumps with his dependable batting, while Green boosts the lineup with all-around firepower.
• The pace attack is spearheaded by Cummins, flanked by Starc and Hazlewood, with Lyon the lone spinner to carve turns on late days.

South Africa’s Campaign & XI

South Africa claimed the top spot in the WTC cycle with a 69.4% points finish, powered by key wins over Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. This marks their maiden appearance in a WTC final.

Probable XI

Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Temba Bavuma ©, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Keshav Maharaj

Match Context & Narrative

• Australia, boasting a championship lineage and unbeaten records in finals (10 of 13 global titles), starts as the favourite.
• South Africa enters as underdogs but with a strong winning streak and momentum, intent on shedding their “chokers” tag in the finals.
• All signs point to an enthralling 5-day duel at the hallowed Lord’s turf, where home conditions could influence both sides’ strategies.

Australia’s blend of proven veterans and home-like familiarity collides with South Africa’s youthful vigour and redemption hunger. Fans are in for a thrilling Test showdown at the “Mecca of Cricket.”