The South African cricket team has always been one of the strongest sides in world cricket, yet one thing that kept them slightly behind other top teams was the tag of being “chokers.” In sporting terms, this label refers to a team that performs exceptionally well but fails to win major trophies when it matters the most.
Being only the third nation in the world to debut in international cricket in 1889, South Africa’s trophy cabinet remained empty for more than a century. That long wait finally ended in 1998, when the team won its maiden ICC title, the Champions Trophy, then known as the ICC Knockout Trophy. Under the leadership of the late Proteas captain Hansie Cronje, South Africa lifted its first-ever ICC trophy, marking a historic moment and breaking what many believed was their long-standing curse.
However, the journey was still not complete. Many believed that the 1998 Champions Trophy was more of an experimental event and that, for a cricketing nation to truly build a legacy, it needed to win a major world title. That moment finally arrived in 2025, when the Proteas, under the leadership of Temba Bavuma, defeated defending champions Australia to win the ICC World Test Championship final at Lord’s. With that historic victory at the home of cricket, South Africa finally lifted their first senior world title, bringing an emotional end to decades of waiting and heartbreak.
Why Did South Africa Wait So Long for Glory?
Soon after making their debut at the international level, South Africa quickly emerged as one of the most competitive cricket teams in the world. In the early years, cricket was played mainly among countries under British influence, and there were no world tournaments, only bilateral series and trophies. As the game expanded globally, the cricketing fraternity eventually introduced the first Cricket World Cup in 1975.
However, South Africa’s journey took a tragic turn when the team was banned by the ICC in 1971 because of the country’s racial policies. The ban remained in place until 1991, which meant they missed the first four World Cups. They finally returned to the world stage in 1992 and made an impressive entry. Although South Africa won their first ICC trophy in 1998, the wait for a true world title continued much longer than anyone expected. For more than three decades after their readmission, they played remarkable tournaments, reached semi-finals and finals, but repeatedly fell short of the ultimate prize. That long wait finally ended in June 2025, when Temba Bavuma led the Proteas to their moment of ultimate glory.
Trophies Won by South Africa
1) ICC Knockout Trophy 1998
The ICC KnockOut Trophy was the first ICC title won by South Africa, and it came in the tournament’s inaugural edition. The competition was introduced by the ICC in 1998 as an experimental event, designed to be hosted in associate nations, with part of the revenue used to support their cricket development. Another purpose was to bridge the long gap between World Cups, which were held once every four years.
The format of the tournament was simple. The top eight teams from the previous World Cup competed in a straight knockout structure, beginning with quarter-finals, followed by semi-finals and then the final. Only seven matches were played in total, and the team that remained unbeaten lifted the trophy.
South Africa, led by captain Hansie Cronje, faced England in their opening match. Batting first, England posted a competitive total of 282 runs. However, South Africa responded strongly. Jacques Kallis produced an outstanding spell of 3 for 48, and crucial contributions from Adam Hollioake with 83 and Neil Fairbrother with 56 helped the Proteas chase down the target and win the match by six wickets.
In the semi-final, South Africa faced the then-World Cup champions, Sri Lanka. Many expected it to be one of the toughest contests of the tournament, but the Proteas produced a dominant performance. Batting first, they posted a total of 241 runs, with Jacques Kallis leading from the front and scoring a magnificent century. While chasing, Sri Lanka never looked settled and collapsed to 132 all out. South Africa won the match by 92 runs and marched confidently into the final.
The final was played at the Dhaka Stadium, where South Africa met the two-time world champions, West Indies. Batting first, the West Indies set a target of 245 runs. In reply, the Proteas delivered a composed chase. Captain Hansie Cronje led from the front with a crucial knock of 61 runs, guiding his team to victory and securing South Africa’s first-ever ICC trophy.
2) World Test Championship – 2025
South Africa began their 2023–25 World Test Championship campaign with a drawn home series against India, and at that stage very few believed the Proteas were capable of reaching the final. Their struggles deepened when they were whitewashed in New Zealand, prompting many experts to label them the weakest South African Test side in years. But Captain Temba Bavuma knew his team better than anyone, and what followed became one of the most remarkable comeback stories in modern cricket.
After the New Zealand defeat, South Africa did not look back. They went on a winning run through the remainder of the cycle, defeating Bangladesh and the West Indies away from home, and then recording strong home-series victories against Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The turnaround carried them all the way to the WTC Final.
The title clash at Lord’s, the “Mecca of Cricket,” saw them face defending champions Australia. The match began poorly for South Africa, as Australia scored 212 and the Proteas replied with only 138, putting the holders firmly in control. But the contest dramatically shifted in the second innings. Kagiso Rabada delivered a sensational match performance, finishing with nine wickets and dismantling Australia’s resistance.
Aiden Markram then produced a brilliant century in the chase, batting with composure and belief, while Temba Bavuma played a crucial supporting knock of 66. Together, they guided South Africa to a famous five-wicket victory, lifting the World Test Championship mace and finally ending decades of heartbreak. It was not just a win but a defining moment that reshaped the legacy of South African cricket.