Aiden Markram believes South Africa have the determination and quality to reach a second consecutive ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final, with the Proteas eager to build on their historic triumph in 2025 as they prepare for the third and deciding Test against Australia in Cape Town.
South Africa will head into the series decider at Newlands with renewed confidence after producing a commanding comeback in Gqeberha. The hosts defeated Australia by an innings and 31 runs in the second Test to level the three-match series 1-1, setting up a winner-takes-all contest beginning on Tuesday.
Markram, who played a starring role in South Africa's maiden WTC title triumph at Lord's in June 2025, said the team's experience of reaching the final had strengthened its desire to repeat the achievement in the ongoing 2025-27 cycle.
"I believe we can make the [WTC] final again. A lot was said last year about us making the final and the road to it, so now there's an extra fire and desire to get into the final, because we would have had to do it the extremely hard way," Markram said, as quoted by cricinfo.
South Africa defeated Australia by five wickets in the 2025 WTC final, with Markram scoring a match-winning 136 in the fourth innings. The achievement marked a landmark moment for the Proteas, who had endured years of near misses in major ICC tournaments.
The opening batter acknowledged that the road to another final would be demanding, with a challenging home summer and important overseas assignments still to come. South Africa's schedule includes Tests against Australia, Bangladesh and England at home, followed by a tour of Sri Lanka during the current WTC cycle.
"With this home summer being huge against some quality opposition, there's a strong will to want to get in that final again," he added.
Markram also highlighted the importance of the 2027 ODI World Cup, which South Africa will co-host with Zimbabwe and Namibia. The Proteas will be keen to make the most of the opportunity to compete for a major trophy on home soil.
"The home [ODI] World Cup [in October-November 2027] is huge as well for us. We want to try to do something special there," he said.
The immediate focus, however, remains on the third Test against Australia, with both teams having won one match apiece.
South Africa bounced back emphatically after losing the opening Test in Durban by 214 runs. At St George's Park, captain Temba Bavuma led the recovery with a magnificent 179, while Marco Jansen contributed 85 and Simon Harmer scored 82 as the hosts posted 425/9 declared.
The South African bowling attack then took control. Jansen claimed five wickets for 33 runs to dismiss Australia for just 99 in their first innings, forcing the visitors to follow on. Travis Head fought back with a century in the second innings, scoring 121, but Kagiso Rabada and Wiaan Mulder helped bowl Australia out for 295.
Rabada finished with four wickets in the second innings, while Mulder claimed three as South Africa completed an emphatic victory. The win not only levelled the series but also gave the reigning world Test champions an opportunity to defend their home record and strengthen their position in the WTC standings.
South Africa will be without fast bowler Anrich Nortje for the third Test after he suffered a groin injury during the second match. His absence could prompt a change in the pace attack as the hosts look to maintain the intensity that proved decisive in Gqeberha.
Australia, meanwhile, will be eager to respond after their batting faltered badly in the second Test. The visitors are also considering a change at the top of the order, with Matthew Renshaw in contention to open alongside Head. Steve Smith is expected to undergo a fitness assessment after experiencing neck stiffness during training.
South Africa will head into the series decider at Newlands with renewed confidence after producing a commanding comeback in Gqeberha. The hosts defeated Australia by an innings and 31 runs in the second Test to level the three-match series 1-1, setting up a winner-takes-all contest beginning on Tuesday.
'We can make the final again'
Markram, who played a starring role in South Africa's maiden WTC title triumph at Lord's in June 2025, said the team's experience of reaching the final had strengthened its desire to repeat the achievement in the ongoing 2025-27 cycle.
"I believe we can make the [WTC] final again. A lot was said last year about us making the final and the road to it, so now there's an extra fire and desire to get into the final, because we would have had to do it the extremely hard way," Markram said, as quoted by cricinfo.
South Africa defeated Australia by five wickets in the 2025 WTC final, with Markram scoring a match-winning 136 in the fourth innings. The achievement marked a landmark moment for the Proteas, who had endured years of near misses in major ICC tournaments.
The opening batter acknowledged that the road to another final would be demanding, with a challenging home summer and important overseas assignments still to come. South Africa's schedule includes Tests against Australia, Bangladesh and England at home, followed by a tour of Sri Lanka during the current WTC cycle.
"With this home summer being huge against some quality opposition, there's a strong will to want to get in that final again," he added.
Markram also highlighted the importance of the 2027 ODI World Cup, which South Africa will co-host with Zimbabwe and Namibia. The Proteas will be keen to make the most of the opportunity to compete for a major trophy on home soil.
"The home [ODI] World Cup [in October-November 2027] is huge as well for us. We want to try to do something special there," he said.
South Africa seek to carry momentum into series decider
The immediate focus, however, remains on the third Test against Australia, with both teams having won one match apiece.
South Africa bounced back emphatically after losing the opening Test in Durban by 214 runs. At St George's Park, captain Temba Bavuma led the recovery with a magnificent 179, while Marco Jansen contributed 85 and Simon Harmer scored 82 as the hosts posted 425/9 declared.
The South African bowling attack then took control. Jansen claimed five wickets for 33 runs to dismiss Australia for just 99 in their first innings, forcing the visitors to follow on. Travis Head fought back with a century in the second innings, scoring 121, but Kagiso Rabada and Wiaan Mulder helped bowl Australia out for 295.
Rabada finished with four wickets in the second innings, while Mulder claimed three as South Africa completed an emphatic victory. The win not only levelled the series but also gave the reigning world Test champions an opportunity to defend their home record and strengthen their position in the WTC standings.
South Africa will be without fast bowler Anrich Nortje for the third Test after he suffered a groin injury during the second match. His absence could prompt a change in the pace attack as the hosts look to maintain the intensity that proved decisive in Gqeberha.
Australia, meanwhile, will be eager to respond after their batting faltered badly in the second Test. The visitors are also considering a change at the top of the order, with Matthew Renshaw in contention to open alongside Head. Steve Smith is expected to undergo a fitness assessment after experiencing neck stiffness during training.