South Africa and Australia are set to face off in a high-stakes showdown as the curtain comes down on the ICC World Test Championship at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground, starting June 11. The battle for red-ball supremacy will see one of these cricketing powerhouses crowned world champions, with the coveted Test Mace and a hefty $3.6 million prize purse awaiting the victors.
The Proteas punched their ticket to the final in emphatic fashion, finishing atop the WTC table thanks to a string of commanding performances. Series triumphs over Pakistan, the West Indies, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, coupled with a hard-fought draw at home against India, paved the way to the Lord’s.
Australia’s march to the summit was equally dominant. A resounding 3-1 victory over India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy set the tone, while whitewashes against Pakistan on home soil and away successes in Sri Lanka and New Zealand sealed their spot in the final.
History tilts slightly in Australia’s favour in this heavyweight clash, they boast a 54-26 head-to-head record over the Proteas. When these sides last locked horns in 2023, the Aussies came away with a convincing 2-0 series win. As the final beckons, both teams will be eyeing glory in the ultimate Test showdown.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times, and the latest lineup news.
What time does Australia vs. South Africa kick off?
The World Test Championship final between Australia and South Africa will be played at Lord's Cricket Ground in London, England, from Wednesday, June 11, to Saturday, June 15. Play is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. local time (7:30 p.m. AEST) each day.
Here's how that time translates across Australia:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| Australian Eastern Standard Time | June 11-15 | 7:30 p.m. |
| Australian Central Standard Time | June 11-15 | 7:00 p.m. |
| Australian Western Standard Time | June 11-15 | 5:30 p.m. |
Australia vs. South Africa live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch the ICC World Test Championship final match in Australia:
TV channel: N/A
Live stream: Amazon Prime Video
This match is not available for live TV broadcast in Australia. Streaming options are available on Amazon Prime Video.
Fans can tune into this match both live and on demand with a subscription to Amazon Prime Video, who are offering a 30-day free trial for new customers on their streaming service.
Australia vs. South Africa predicted XIs, team news
Australia's strength in depth is once again under the spotlight heading into the World Test Championship final, with several key selection calls still up in the air. One of the main talking points is the pace department, where Josh Hazlewood and Scott Boland are once again jostling for a single spot.
The batting order is also set for a shake-up, especially with Cameron Green returning to the fold, his inclusion could see Marnus Labuschagne promoted to open the innings for the first time in his Test career, potentially sidelining teenage prodigy Sam Konstas.
Green, however, won't be bowling at Lord’s as he continues to recover from a back injury that kept him out of action last summer. The team is targeting the Ashes for his full return with ball in hand. If doubts linger over Hazlewood's ability to last five days, selectors may turn to Beau Webster as a handy all-round option, offering balance without compromising depth.
Even if Labuschagne is forced into an unfamiliar role at the top, it could be a timely test with his place in the XI potentially on the line ahead of the West Indies tour. Australia's top order remains formidable—Usman Khawaja (1,422), Steve Smith (1,324), and Travis Head (1,177) all ranked among the top ten run-getters during the WTC cycle.
Smith found his rhythm again with five tons, while Head, who returns to the middle order after opening in Sri Lanka, proved his big-match credentials with a match-winning 163 in the previous WTC final that helped seal the title against India. Wherever he bats, Head continues to be Australia's man for the moment.
Australia predicted XI: Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (capt), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon.
At the top of the order, South Africa will lean on the seasoned duo of Temba Bavuma and Aiden Markram to set the tone with the bat. Bavuma, with 3,606 Test runs to his name, brings a wealth of experience, while Markram, who has amassed 2,857 runs in the longest format, offers composure and strokeplay in equal measure.
On the bowling front, Kagiso Rabada remains South Africa's most potent weapon, particularly against Australia. The fiery pacer has tormented the Aussies in previous encounters, claiming an impressive 49 wickets in just 10 Tests. He also topped South Africa's wicket-taking charts in 2024, underlining his central role.
Lungi Ngidi brings a blend of experience and consistency, known for his disciplined lines and a solid Test résumé, 55 wickets at an impressive average of 23.14. Dane Paterson, on the other hand, thrives in swing-friendly conditions, using his craft and clever variations to good effect, perfect for English pitches.
Then there's the towering presence of Marco Jansen. At just 25, the lanky left-armer has already broken into the top 10 of the Test bowling rankings. With his steep bounce and lively pace, he's set to pose a serious challenge to Australia's top order.
South Africa predicted XI: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma (capt), David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Dane Paterson.