June 6, 2025 — Betway SA20 League Commissioner Graeme Smith has extended his support to Proteas Men’s Test captain Temba Bavuma and the South African team ahead of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final against Australia, scheduled to begin at Lord’s Cricket Ground on June 11.
“We’re right behind Temba and the team,” said Smith. “As the last man that held the mace at Lord’s in 2012, it would give me great pleasure to see Temba and this group of players lift it. All South Africans should unite and support the team on this important mission.”
Smith reflects on Lord’s legacy and WTC significance
Graeme Smith, who famously led the Proteas to the No.1 Test ranking with a historic victory at Lord’s in 2012, spoke emotionally about the venue and its importance in cricket folklore.
“Lord’s is a special, special place,” Smith said. “From watching South African teams play there as a youngster to walking down those iconic stairs onto a packed field, it’s one of those goosebump moments in your career.”
Smith highlighted his standout Lord’s memory from 2003: “Going there, getting a double hundred, winning the Test match, and Makhaya Ntini taking 10 wickets — it was an incredible first experience.”
SA20’s impact on national team performance
Smith also credited the Betway SA20 league for helping develop players who are now central to the Proteas setup. “Betway SA20 has certainly helped create a platform that gives players exposure. It’s then up to them to perform and seize that opportunity,” he said.
He singled out Ryan Rickelton as a key example: “He had been on the fringes, and now, thanks to SA20, he’s become undroppable. He’s got to be one of the first names on every team sheet.”
“By exposing our best domestic players to full houses, international broadcasts, and top-level franchise environments, SA20 lifts the standard of South African cricket. That has always been crucial to us at Betway SA20.”
Proteas eye ICC glory after strong tournament run
The Proteas have enjoyed a stellar run in ICC events, reaching the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s World Cup and Champions Trophy, the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, and now the WTC Final.
Several key players from the SA20, including Aiden Markram, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, and Ryan Rickelton, are set to feature in the 15-man squad for the clash against Australia at Lord’s.
Full South Africa squad for WTC Final:
- Temba Bavuma (captain)
- David Bedingham (Sunrisers Eastern Cape)
- Corbin Bosch (MI Cape Town)
- Tony de Zorzi (Sunrisers Eastern Cape)
- Marco Jansen (Sunrisers Eastern Cape)
- Keshav Maharaj (Durban’s Super Giants)
- Aiden Markram (Sunrisers Eastern Cape)
- Wiaan Mulder (Durban’s Super Giants)
- Senuran Muthusamy (Pretoria Capitals)
- Lungi Ngidi (Paarl Royals)
- Dane Paterson
- Kagiso Rabada (MI Cape Town)
- Ryan Rickelton (MI Cape Town)
- Tristan Stubbs (Sunrisers Eastern Cape)
- Kyle Verreynne (Pretoria Capitals)
With experienced leadership, rising stars, and momentum behind them, the Proteas aim to bring home their first World Test Championship title and etch a new chapter in South African cricket history.
