The World Test Championship is the biennial competition for international cricket’s top test teams. The winner of the tournament is awarded the famous mace, a symbol of Test supremacy. The current champions are South Africa, who beat Australia in a thrilling 2025 final at Lord’s. The event consists of a league stage, a playoff to determine the world’s best, and a final. Each team competes in seven matches, playing three against each other and two against each of the remaining four teams in the competition. Each match is worth 12 points, a tie is worth 6 points, and a loss is worth 0 points. A team that is behind the required over rate during a game is deducted one point.

The Proteas were not expected to win the WTC final, but they did, and it will go down as one of South Africa’s greatest sports moments. Aiden Markram’s nerveless fourth innings century, and the whole Proteas bowling attack led the way to a historic victory. It was an epic game, played in a storm, and one that showed how far the Proteas have come since their ODI and T20 World Cup triumphs. ICC Hall of Famer AB de Villiers was among those leading the tributes on social media.

The defending champions will likely face a tougher road in the upcoming cycle than many expect, and it may prove impossible for them to retain their crown. They have an extremely difficult schedule, featuring an overseas tour of India and five home tests against New Zealand and Australia – all of which could make the difference in their quest for glory.