Aiden Markram slammed a match-defining century to help South Africa end their 27-year wait for a major ICC title by beating Australia by five wickets in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final at the Lord's Cricket Ground on Saturday.

Resuming Day 4 on 213/2, South Africa needed 69 runs to clinch their maiden WTC title and their second ICC silverware since winning the 1998 ICC Knockout Trophy.

While South Africa lost captain Temba Bavuma (66) and Tristan Stubbs (8) early on Day 4, Markram played the innings of his life as he scored 136 to help the Proteas chase down 282 in the fourth innings and wrap up a historic victory at Lord’s.

Markram was later adjudged the Player of the Match for his match-winning century, laced with 14 fours.

"Lord's is a place where every Test cricketer wants to play. Plenty of South African fans were there and it was one of those special days," Markram said after winning the WTC title.

"Tough to have got over the line. Lot of it came from him (Bavuma), he has always led from the front, found way a to score runs and those sort of knocks are something people will remember you for," he added.

Earlier in the WTC 2025 final, South Africa skipper Bavuma won the toss and opted to field under overcast conditions in London.

Kagiso Rabada bagged a five-wicket haul, while Marco Jansen claimed three wickets to help South Africa bowl out Australia for 212 in the first innings.

For Australia, Beau Webster (72) and Steven Smith (66) scored crucial fifties.

Later, Australia rode on captain Pat Cummins’ 6/28 to bundle out the Proteas for 138 and took a lead of 74 runs.

In the second innings, Mitchell Starc (58) and Alex Carey (43) played valiant knocks as Australia managed 207 and set South Africa a target of 282.

Chasing a daunting target in the fourth innings, Markram played the most significant knock of his Test career (136), along with valuable contributions from captain Bavuma (66), Wiaan Mulder (27) and David Bedingham (21 not out) to end South Africa’s long wait for an ICC title.

With the victory, South Africa became the third different winner of the World Test Championship. New Zealand were the inaugural WTC champions after defeating India in the 2021 final at The Rose Bowl in Southampton, while Australia won the second edition of the WTC after beating India in the 2023 final at the Kennington Oval in London.