¡Finalistas indignos! Cómo las lagunas jurídicas en el WTC favorecieron a Sudáfrica para llegar a la final

South Africa are in another ICC final! A few months back they had a crushing day in Barbados, “chocking” their way against a mighty Indian team that was rather more hungrier for the coveted title. South Africa was hurt. However, exactly 6 months later, the joy in Centurion was just something else. When Marco Jansen smashed Mohammad Abbas for a four towards leg-side, the crowd erupted and skipper Temba Bavuma was quite emotional as South Africa scripted their maiden qualification to the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final. They have booked their place for the summit clash, scheduled at the Lord’s on June 11.

South Africa really undeserving?

“Undeserving” might be a harsh word. After all, it undermines their superb run in red-ball cricket. The Proteas always have a gun T20 outfit but lacked that vigour, especially in terms of batting, in Tests. But here they are. Winning 7 Tests out of 11 and losing just three. At a normal view, this all look more “deserving.” But let’s look at deeper context. South Africa didn’t face either Australia or England. While they competed in two Tests against India, both came in South Africa.

All in all, South Africa played two Tests against New Zealand (home), two against the West Indies (away), two against Bangladesh (away), two against Sri Lanka (home) and now two against Pakistan (home). In an era where we are seeing England travelling to India for five games and Australia setting up another 5-game challenge for the BGT, South Africa didn’t play a single 3-match Test series in this WTC 2023-25 cycle.

South Africa’s run for WTC Final 2025