WYS JOU GESICHT

The defence of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) mace is about to commence for the Proteas as they embark on a new cycle with a two-match Test series in Lahore and Rawalpindi this month.

As South Africa kicks off the 2025-27 WTC cycle in Pakistan this week, they bear the weight of expectations, having claimed victory in the WTC final against Australia at Lord’s in June.

This presents a new challenge for the Proteas, as every Test they play will be under intense observation from their opponents – a level of scrutiny they likely did not experience in the previous cycle, when they operated in the shadows due to a lack of star players and being generally underestimated.

Stand-in captain Aiden Markram stressed the team’s ambition to reclaim the WTC mace by the end of this new cycle.

Markram noted: “I suppose you do create a bit of a target on your back if you’ve won [the WTC final]. So, it’s entirely fair if that is the case. From our side, we aim to pursue that again and lift that same trophy once more.”

“Thus, every team will be gunning for you. As a team, you also have to keep evolving and perform well across various conditions. It’s challenging for us in Pakistan, but it’s a challenge that the boys are prepared for.”

The squad will be without regular Test captain Temba Bavuma, who has been sidelined for the entire tour due to a calf injury. His absence paves the way for batters Dewald Brevis and Tony de Zorzi to potentially enter the starting XI of a complete team.

Markram added: “He’d [Brevis] definitely be an option, especially with how he handles spin. If conditions become accentuated, he can swiftly alter the momentum of the game with his style of play, making him a strong consideration.”