The nation holds its breath. Fans rub their eyes in disbelief. After three days of chaotic, bruising, and at times magical Test cricket, South Africa stands on the brink of the unthinkable.

A true underdog story is unfolding at Lord’s — the same ground that has so often symbolised cricketing power, hierarchy, and tradition. Yet now, it’s the setting for something far more poetic: a team rising from the weight of a 27-year trophy drought, with history within their grasp.

Just 69 runs separate South Africa from being crowned World Test Champions. For a nation so often haunted by the “Chokers” label, this is more than a match — it’s a reckoning, a rebirth, a release.

The words of head coach Shukri Conrad ahead of this final still echo: “We’ll be quietly confident going into this game that we can pull one over them.”

And leading that charge is Temba Bavuma — the first Black African to captain South Africa in Test cricket. Battling injury, leading with courage, and batting with heart, Bavuma is more than a captain. He’s a symbol. A symbol of what South African cricket has endured, and what it can become for future generations. If this moment doesn’t shatter the criticism, racism and abuse he’s faced over the years, then perhaps we’ve missed what this game – and this country – should truly stand for.

By his side is vice-captain Aiden Markram, the first South African to lift a World Cup trophy — the U19 edition in 2014 — now delivering a career-defining century on the biggest stage of all.

This isn’t just about cricket. It’s about a team daring to dream, and a country longing for deliverance. It’s about proving — finally — that the Proteas can rise to the occasion. And on this final day at Lord’s, with 69 runs to glory, the dream is alive.

As the sun rises over St John’s Wood, Proteas captain Temba Bavuma (65) and vice-captain Aiden Markram (102) stride out to the middle to the roar of the Lord’s crowd — 69 runs from destiny.

Despite losing the wickets of Bavuma and Stubbs, the Proteas continued to knock off the deficit.

Aiden Markram lost his wicket too after a match-winning 136. This didn’t stop the Proteas from making history and breaking the curse. We are now World Champions.