Aiden Markram played the most significant knock of his Test career as he slammed a magnificent century to guide South Africa closer to a historic victory over Australia in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final at the iconic Lord’s on Friday.

Chasing a daunting target of 282 in the fourth innings, Markram delivered under pressure to notch up his eighth Test hundred during the third day of the ongoing WTC final.

The South African opening batter reached the landmark in 156 deliveries after he hit Australia’s star pacer Josh Hazlewood for a boundary in the penultimate over of the day.

Despite losing Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder to Mitchell Starc in the first 18 overs, Markram stood firm at the crease for the Proteas.

Markram and captain Temba Bavuma stitched an incredible unbeaten 143-run stand for the third wicket to put South Africa on the cusp of their maiden WTC title.

The Proteas ended the day at 213/2, with Markram (102 not out) and Bavuma (65 not out) at the crease. They need another 69 runs to clinch their first ICC silverware since 1998.

Earlier in the day, South Africa bowled out Australia for 207 in their second innings during the opening session. The defending champions rode on Starc’s valiant knock (58), who forged a crucial 59-run stand with Josh Hazlewood (17) for the 10th wicket to set-up a target of 282.

Meanwhile, Aiden Markram became the third batter to score a century in the World Test Championship Final. Steve Smith and Travis Head are the other batters to achieve the feat against India in the ​​WTC 2023 final at the Oval.

Markram also recorded his fourth century in the World Test Championship across three editions. He has already amassed 1,601 runs in 29 matches in the ​WTC so far.