WTC Final: Proteas Unveil Lineup Against Australia—Bavuma Confirms Mulder's Batting Role

South Africa Reveals WTC Final XI: Mulder at 3, Rabada Leads Pace Attack for Lord's Showdown

South Africa has revealed their playing XI for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final against Australia, which is set to take place on June 11, 2025 at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. Captain Temba Bavuma made the announcement on June 10: the Proteas are going for a mix of experienced players and young ones that have potential as they gear up for their first-ever journey to the WTC Final.

South Africa reshuffles batting order; Mulder promoted to No. 3

A prominent surprise is the decision to promote Wiaan Mulder to No. 3 in the batting order. Management has been advocating for Mulder, who is traditionally considered a lower-middle-order all-rounder, to take on a major top-order role.

Bavuma said the move was a result of Mulder’s better technique and temperament and the team being in need of a calm player at the top to neutralize Australia’s fast bowlers.

The Proteas have retained Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton to open the innings, with Bavuma himself given the No. 4 position, with aggressive Tristan Stubbs following and the in-form David Bedingham coming in at No. 6.

Kyle Verreynne is back in the XI, with the selectors opting for him over Heinrich Klaasen on the basis of consistency in keeping and improved batting form. Together, this team should be able to provide both stability and aggressive stroke play.

Pace Battery Leads South Africa’s Bowling Attack

In the bowling department, the South African side has thus gone with three pace options—a pace battery led by Kagiso Rabada and pitched with the likes of Marco Jansen and Lungi Ngidi. Ngidi's inclusion over Dane Paterson raised some sort of eyebrows, more so with Paterson's excellent performance in the lead-up series.
The team management, however, reckons Ngidi's extra pace and bounce would be more troubling for the English conditions. Rabada is back in full action post-suspension earlier this year and is said to be in great physical and mental shape, with Bavuma having full confidence in him to lead the bowling unit.

Keshav Maharaj will be the lone specialist spinner in the lineup, with his experience and control to be brought onto the side. His role will probably be vital in the middle overs, especially if the pitch starts to turn late in the game. With Jansen and Mulder being able to bowl some overs fairly well, the team has bowling options to a great depth.

Can the Proteas end their two-decade ICC title drought

South Africa has another historic chance to secure their very first ICC title after over 20 years. Bavuma, on his part, while reflecting on their journey, pointed to the crushing defeat against Australia in the 2022-23 Test series.

He said that it was that loss that triggered a shift in culture and tactics from within the squad, which eventually paid off with a more focused and resilient approach that saw them finish top of the WTC points table.

With the Proteas ready in full force to take on the defending champions, expectations are all set. The squad may not have the star names that the Australians do, but it is more of a team in transition—a team hungry, focused, and determined to get their name down in Test history.