‘We can get to the final again’: Aiden Markram outlines South Africa’s WTC ambitions ahead of Australia decider

Aiden Markram (Image: Reuters) Aiden Markram believes South Africa have the determination and quality to reach a second ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final, with the Proteas eager to build on their historic triumph in 2025 as they prepare for the third and deciding Test against Australia in Cape Town.South Africa will head into the series decider at Newlands with renewed confidence after producing an impressive comeback in Gqeberha. The hosts beat Australia by an innings and 31 runs in the second Test to level the three-match series 1-1, with the winner-take-all contest starting on Tuesday.

“We can get to the final again”

Markram, who played a major role in South Africa’s WTC’s first triumph at Lord’s in June 2025, said the team’s experience of reaching the final had strengthened their desire to repeat the feat in the ongoing 2025-27 cycle.“I believe we can get to the (WTC) final again. Last year there was a lot of talk about getting to the final and the road to it, so now there is more fire and desire to get to the final because we would have to do it in an extremely difficult way,” Markram said, as quoted by cricinfo.South Africa defeated Australia by five wickets in the 2025 WTC final, with Markram scoring a match-winning 136 in the fourth innings. The achievement marked a landmark for the Proteas, who had endured years of near misses in major ICC tournaments.The opening bat acknowledged that the road to another final would be tough, with a challenging domestic summer and important overseas assignments still to come. South Africa’s schedule includes home Tests against Australia, Bangladesh and England, followed by a tour of Sri Lanka during the current WTC cycle.“With this home summer being huge against quality opposition, there is a strong will to want to get to that final again,” he added.Markram also highlighted the importance of the 2027 ODI World Cup, which South Africa will co-host with Zimbabwe and Namibia. The Proteas will want to make the most of the opportunity to compete for a major trophy on home soil.“The home (ODI) World Cup (October to November 2027) is also huge for us. We want to try to do something special there,” he said.

South Africa are looking to carry the momentum into the series decider

However, the immediate focus remains on the third Test against Australia, where both teams have won one match each.South Africa bounced back strongly after losing the opening Test in Durban by 214 runs. At St George’s Park, skipper Temba Bavuma led the recovery with a superb 179, while Marco Jansen contributed 85 and Simon Harmer scored 82 as the hosts declared 425/9.The South African bowling attack then took control. Jansen took five wickets for 33 runs to dismiss Australia for just 99 in their first innings, forcing the visitors on. Travis Head fought back for a century in the second innings to score 121, but Kagiso Rabada and Wiaan Mulder helped Australia bowl out for 295.Rabada finished with four wickets in the second innings, while Mulder claimed three wickets as South Africa completed an emphatic victory. The win not only leveled the series but also gave the reigning world Test champions an opportunity to defend their home record and consolidate their position in the WTC rankings.South Africa will be without fast bowler Anrich Nortje, who suffered a groin injury during the second match, for the third Test. His absence could prompt a change in attacking tempo as the hosts look to maintain the intensity that proved decisive at Gqeberha.Australia, meanwhile, will be eager to respond after their batting faltered badly in the second Test. The visitors are also considering a change at the top of the order, with Matthew Renshaw in contention to open alongside Head. Steve Smith is expected to undergo a fitness assessment after experiencing neck stiffness during training.