South Africa receive huge welcome home after first ICC win in 27 years: 'Haven't seen people like that at airport before'

The South African cricket team returned home to a hero’s welcome on Wednesday morning after winning the 2023-25 edition of the World Test Championship (WTC). This is their first ICC title in 27 years, and hence the celebrations. The team landed at Johannesburg airport, where they were greeted by a massive crowd of fans, including South Africa’s sports minister and CSA officials.

South Africa receive hero’s welcome

This emotional reception came just four days after their historic five-wicket win over Australia in the WTC final at Lord’s, London. It was a moment the South African team and their fans had been waiting for since they last lifted an ICC title in 1998, which was the Champions Trophy. The Temba Bavuma-led side was seen wearing their new ‘Champions’ t-shirts when they landed home.

A Hero’s Welcome! 🇿🇦🏆

Minister Gayton McKenzie rolled out the carpet as our ICC World Test Champions touched down on home soil today! 💚

A proud moment for the nation as the Proteas return with the mace and history made at Lord’s! 🏆#WTCFinal #ProteasWTCFinal #WozaNawe pic.twitter.com/iffVwlldP6

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) June 18, 2025

The team went to Cricket South Africa’s head office after their reception at the airport. Speaking at a press conference, Bavuma said he was overwhelmed by the love and support from everyone back home. Bavuma admitted that he had never seen so many people coming to cheer for the team at the airport before.

“It is quite overwhelming. We haven’t seen people like that at the airport before. As players, you don’t really realise what you’ve done but when you start to interact with people and see the emotion, it gives you a proper insight into what we’ve done. We are proud as a team but we are even more happy and proud that we’ve made our people proud,” Bavuma said.

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Bavuma also spoke about how the team achieved their victory in the South African way. “If you look at this team and the guys at the helm, we have done it the proper South African way. That’s unique to this group. We have embraced everything that it means to be South African,” he added.

The Home of South African Cricket📍🏢

Our ICC World Test Champions arriving at the Cricket South Africa Head Office following their historic conquest of the World Test Championship 🏆🔥. #WTCFinal #ProteasWTCFinal #WozaNawe pic.twitter.com/1QefksmPvl

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) June 18, 2025

South Africa create history

South Africa relied on teamwork throughout their World Test Championship cycle. They had nine different players who won Player of the Match awards between 2023 and 2025, and 15 players either scored a century or took five wickets. In the final against Australia, Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma, and David Bedingham contributed with the bat after Kagiso Rabada-led bowling attack did their job with the ball.

South Africa’s long wait for an ICC trophy had become a painful tale, with heartbreaking losses in many key matches over the years, including the 1999 ODI World Cup semi-final and the 2024 T20 World Cup final. However, Bavuma and his men have finally rewritten the history books for the Proteas.