SuperSport is set to deliver unrivalled coverage of the ICC World Test Championship Final from 11-15 June, where the Proteas will face defending champions Australia at Lord's in a highly anticipated match steeped in historical rivalry and a quest for redemption.
The stage is set for a cricketing spectacle of epic proportions as SuperSport, Africa's premier sports broadcaster, announces its comprehensive and unparalleled coverage of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final involving the Proteas and Australia.
From 11-15 June, the Proteas are set to ignite the hallowed turf of Lord's Cricket Ground in London, going toe-to-toe with defending champions Australia in a monumental showdown with history on the line, and SuperSport will have you covered with live coverage of every ball along the way.
This isn't just another match; it's the culmination of years of grit, determination, and an enduring, often bitter, rivalry that has captivated cricket fans for decades.
Just ask former Proteas fast bowler Makhaya Ntini, one of SuperSport's expert analysts, who knows all about the heated rivalry between South Africa and Australia.
He’s had his fair share of heated affairs against the Baggy Greens and knows just how intense it can get when the two teams meet on the field.
Ahead of the mouthwatering World Test Championship final, Ntini has urged his fellow Proteas to stay away from the sledging and nastiness, and instead focus on excelling with bat and ball.
“I have heard a lot of people saying that the Proteas need to get in the heads of the Australian players and abuse them and try to throw their concentration out the window,” Ntini told SuperSport.
“But that’s not the way I see it. As a bowler, I have always believed that the cricket ball is the only thing that talks, and for the batsman, your bat should be the only thing that talks.
"Let the other things pass you by. If you are getting abused by the opposition, use it as fuel to fire you up and to get you to perform out of your skin.”
The clashes between South Africa and Australia are legendary, etched into the annals of the sport with moments of breathtaking brilliance, fierce competition, and unforgettable drama.
From the infamous “Sandpapergate” scandal to the nail-biting finishes and intense verbal exchanges, the rivalry between the Proteas and the Baggy Greens runs deep, fuelled by a mutual desire for supremacy and a history of hard-fought battles.
The stakes in this WTC final could not be higher. The Aussies aren't just the reigning WTC title holders; they're also the current ICC Cricket World Cup champions, having snatched the trophy in India last year – a victory that famously saw them knock the Proteas out in a heartbreaking semifinal.
Now, the hallowed grounds of Lord's provide the perfect backdrop for a thrilling redemption story. Will the Proteas defy the odds and reclaim the WTC crown, or will Australia continue their dominance?
Makhaya Ntini believes both teams are fully aware of the challenge ahead.
“Australia know that they face a tough team in South Africa, and South Africa knows the kind of opposition they face too. So they both will know what they're up against. But this test match final in particular needs to serve as a reminder to all the test cricketing nations out there that no team is unbeatable and everyone can make the final.
"We have seen the likes of India and England fail to make the final, so this needs to serve as encouragement to other teams that anything is possible.”
Ntini also highlights the palpable excitement surrounding the final.
“Every time I walk into the shop to get my groceries these days, I get people coming up to me and asking me if I’m ready. It almost feels like I am the one who’s playing,” he says as he laughs away.
“That’s how excited people are for the World Test Championships. I think from a spectator point of view, those who can’t make it to England, need to be glued to their television sets, supporting each and every one of our players. They need all the support they can get going into such a crucial test match.”
Ntini further adds that the players themselves are buzzing with anticipation.
“There is also so much excitement from the players. There are a few Proteas players who have never played at Lord's and so they cannot wait to get out and show what they can do at the majestic Lord's.”
"These players also need to put their hands up and step up to the plate on a stage like this."
"The stage is set for young players like Marco Jansen, who picked up 16 wickets in the Indian Premier League. You have people who are really on form and are ready to take this big stage by storm.”
Your World of Champions is committed to delivering an immersive and unforgettable viewing experience, ensuring fans don't miss a single moment of this historic test match. Our coverage will be more than just cricket; it will be a celebration of the UNBREAKABLE human spirit and the hope it brings to us as a nation – a spirit embodied by the Proteas, our country, and every single South African. Aside from ball-to-ball coverage of the thrilling test match, SuperSport will have you covered with the best of analysis, magazine shows, and top-class punditry to keep you entertained throughout the historic final.
SuperSport will have some world-class panellists at our studios in Randburg, which will include Philasande Sixaba, Ntini, Mluleki Ntsabo and Khaya Zondo, while our panelists based in the UK at Lord’s will include the likes of Mark Nicholas, Pommie Mbangwa, Graeme Smith, JP Duminy and Shaun Pollock.
SuperSport’s dedicated programming will offer comprehensive analysis and captivating storytelling, which will focus on the iconic test at Lord’s and the intense rivalry between the two teams, as well as looking back at the Proteas' challenging journey to the final. We will have in-depth profiles of key batters and bowlers that will feature in the final, and expert analysis with the best minds in the game. Our acclaimed magazine shows - Inside Edge Reloaded and iQakamba - will also give you unparalleled access to all things cricket, as well as a unique look behind the scenes with the Proteas national team.
Viewers will also be able to stay connected and informed on the go with SuperSport’s digital platforms, with our Web and App providing fixtures, live data, real-time results, and instant match highlights. You'll also have access to Proteas previews, including players to watch and in-depth analysis, along with full match coverage through comprehensive articles and updates throughout the match.
Viewers will also get the rare opportunity to catch legends such as Temba Bavuma, Shukri Conrad, Ashwell Prince, and Vernon Philander engage in a quintessential English lawn bowls competition, as they discuss the Proteas' path to glory. Don't miss a single ball of this historic encounter.
Whether it's the raw emotion of the rivalry, the tactical genius on display, or the sheer drama of a WTC final, SuperSport promises unmatched coverage that will bring you closer to the action than ever before. Tune in to SuperSport from 11-15 June for the ICC World Test Championship Final, only on your World of Champions.