Proteas return home as ICC World Test champions: A hero's welcome at OR Tambo
The South African men's cricket team touched down at OR Tambo International Airport to a great reception after claiming the ICC World Test Championship title. Fans, family, and officials gathered to celebrate the Proteas' historic triumph and to glimpse the coveted Mace in South African hands.
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Victorious Proteas still building their legacy, says captain Temba Bavuma
Proteas captain Temba Bavuma is cheered on by young fans at the Cricket SA headquarters in Johannesburg. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Captain Temba Bavuma says the Proteas must 'just live in that moment for a little bit longer' after receiving a warm welcome upon their arrival in Johannesburg on Wednesday. The Proteas touched down at the OR Tambo International Airport, returning home from London after being crowned the World Test Championship winners following their five-wicket victory over the No 1-ranked Australia at Lord's last week. Although Bavuma has his eyes set on the upcoming two-match Test tour to Zimbabwe, which starts on June 28, he emphasised the importance of basking in their WTC triumph in the coming days. Bavuma wants his team to enjoy themselves before heading to Zimbabwe next week, and most importantly, reflect on what they have done to get to where they are as a team at the moment. 'I think for now, it's important for us to at least acknowledge and embrace what we've done – to take it all in, to understand as players the role that we played to get us to this point, and really just live in that moment for a little bit longer,' Bavuma told the media on Wednesday. 'I think the beauty about international cricket is that there's always something else that's awaiting. 'So, once we get over ourselves and all our emotions, then we will be, 'What's the next thing?' 'Guys will be focusing on the Zimbabwe tour, and that obviously leads to the start of the community cycle. 'So, we've been setting our eyes on what it is that we want to achieve over there. 'But there's always something that we always are working towards. 'Like I said, it's a legacy that we try to put together as a team. The legacy is not done now after 18, 24 months. But for now, it's for us to enjoy what we've done.' Bavuma suffered a hamstring strain during the fourth innings of the WTC final, and still batted through it and got the team into a good position to win the match with a gritty 66 in a match-winning partnership with centurion Aiden Markram. However, that injury will have to be re-examined to determine if the 35-year-old will be fit for the Zimbabwe tour. Should Bavuma not be fit to fly north, he will be another key player that will miss the trip, as Kagiso Rabada, Markram, Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder and Ryan Rickelton have been rested. Bavuma opened up about his battles with injuries as the hamstring strain at Lord's last week was not his first taste of something of that nature. 'I've had my fair share of injuries. I'm not 25 anymore... I'm close to the end,' said Bavuma. 'So, I think it's just for me to accept and probably go to the gym a lot more than I did as a youngster, but I think I just need to continue. 'It seems like that's part of my story and journey at the moment. 'I don't think this one is going to keep me out for too long. I think it's just part and parcel of being a sportsman, right? 'You go through the criticism, you go through these issues with your injuries and your body. 'And the thing is, you've got to wake up the next day and find a way to keep going forward, so I think it's no different to how it all ends. 'Like I said earlier, I'm going to enjoy this moment. 'But hopefully come Monday, we start writing our way up on how we are going to go about things going forward.'
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37 minutes ago
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Time out on sidelines has Etzebeth raring to go for Boks' home season
Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth has allayed fears around his fitness ahead of the international season as the double Rugby World Cup-winner looks forward to adding to his South African record 131 caps in a busy year for the national side. The 33-year-old has been one of the Springboks' most influential players in the last decade and a key element of their back-to-back World Cup triumphs in 2019 and 2023, but is coming off a club season with the Durban-based Sharks plagued by injury. 'I didn't have such a good run at the Sharks with injury and concussion that kept me out for about four-and-a-half months,' Etzebeth said on Wednesday. 'It wasn't ideal, but I recovered and got a few games towards the back-end of the season. I just suffered a small setback in training just before the [United Rugby Championship] semifinal. 🗣️ "It's actually a difficult one to plan around." Rassie Erasmus on how the Springboks will be approaching the Barbarians match next Saturday. Click below to get your tickets now 👇 — SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) June 17, 2025 'That was just a minor one and I'm very comfortable for the Springbok season ahead.' Etzebeth is an enforcer in the Springboks pack, with his ability at line-outs, powerful carries and organisation in defence. Far from looking at this past season as a wasted one, he suggests the time on the sidelines will leave him fresher for Tests against Italy [two] and Georgia next month, and South Africa's Rugby Championship title defence. 'It's not ideal that I didn't play as much as I wanted to, but at the end of the day your body is resting up a bit,' he said. Is 2025 the year that we see a changing of the guard in the Springbok front row? With Steven Kitshoff retired and injuries to the likes of Frans Malherbe and Trevor Nyakane, a few newer faces will definitely get their chance 💪 — SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) June 18, 2025 'We play week in and week out and the guys who aren't injured get bruised and battered. I'm a bit fresher. The body is feeling good.' South African players arguably play more rugby than ever before with their involvement in the United Rugby Championship and European club competitions. The Springboks also have 14 matches lined up this year, starting with a non-cap clash against the Barbarians in Cape Town on June 28. 'It's a big topic in South African rugby about our squads [size],' Etzebeth admitted. 'There is the Currie Cup, URC, Champions Cup. Do we have enough players in our squads? 'That's for the coaches to decide and I don't think they're too happy, but it's out of my [control].'
The South African
43 minutes ago
- The South African
'Children from all colours are singing Temba Bavuma's name'
Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, was full of praise for Temba Bavuma and the Proteas following their ICC World Test Championship triumph over Australia. The Proteas claimed their first ICC trophy in 27 years by beating Australia by five wickets in the WTC final at Lord's on Saturday. Speaking at the OR Tambo International Airport after the team's arrival, the sports minister praised Temba Bavuma and his troops for winning the final. 'You know the difference with this team … Shukri Conrad is the best coach in the world, but one thing he did with this team is make them believe,' McKenzie said. 'They don't need motivation. We believed they were going to win. Conrad believed they were going to win and they believed they were going to win. It's the recipe for where we are today. They say cometh the hour, cometh the man. Temba Bavuma, he rose at the right time. Temba means hope, and he brought hope to the nation.' 'People should see themselves when they watch our national teams. White kids must see themselves. Coloured kids must see themselves. Black and Indian kids must see themselves. That is what the Proteas are doing here,' the minister added. 'They are following in the footsteps of the Springboks. We are a socially cohesive country … we are the rainbow nation. A black captain in Temba Bavuma and the children are singing his name, children from all creeds and colours,' Gayton said. In terms of bonuses and payments, McKenzie did not reveal much. 'We will talk about that later. 'We have got so many winners, all these bonuses can bankrupt the country.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
