Temba Bavuma braces for WTC final vs Australia after Pakistan heist: No mean feat-OxBig News Network

Temba Bavuma said that he’s looking forward to South Africa’s high-voltage clash against Australia in the final of the World Test Championship 2023-25. The grand finale is scheduled to take place from June 15 at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground. On Monday, January 6, the Proteas started 2025 in the best possible way after beating Pakistan in the New Year’s Test by 10 wickets at the Newlands in Cape Town.

South Africa vs Pakistan, 2nd Test Day 4 Highlights

After being set a target of 58, the hosts romped home in 7.1 overs to win the two-match series 2-0. South Africa also secured their seventh Test win on the trot and solidified their position at the top of the WTC 2023-25 table. Bavuma also said that facing Australia in the summit clash won’t be easy. It was after winning the Centurion Test that South Africa qualified for the WTC final.

“Looking forward to it, up against Australia, so it’s not going to be any mean feat. We’ll enjoy the moment,” Bavuma said in the post-match presentation ceremony.

Bavuma also had words of praise for Kwena Mapakha, who became South Africa Men’s youngest Test debutant. Mapakha took Babar Azam’s wicket in the first innings, after which he dismissed Shan Masood, who made 145, in the second innings.

“Exuberance of youth, a guy who’s super confident and wants to be in the contest. He never had his head down and always wanted to make a play for the team,” Bavuma said.

Following on after conceding a lead of 421 in the first innings, Pakistan fought hard to score 478 in their second innings. But Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj took three wickets apiece to make sure that South Africa avoided any sort of scare.

As far as Australia are concerned, they made their way through to the WTC final after beating India by six wickets in the Sydney Test.