London, June 14 (Reporter) South Africa ended their 27-year wait for a major ICC men’s title with a five-wicket win over Australia in the World Test Championship Final at Lord's on Saturday, a triumph defined as much by tactical brilliance as by sheer grit. At the heart of it was a battered but unbowed Temba Bavuma, who defied a hamstring injury to forge a match-turning partnership with Aiden Markram in the fourth innings chase of 282. "I was the one to say Temba shouldn’t keep going," South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad admitted, his voice trembling with emotion. "But the partnership was critical — and they (Bavuma and Aiden Markman) know better than the coaches anyway." In those words lay the soul of South Africa’s triumph at Lord's, as captain Bavuma, battling a hamstring injury, hobbled his way through a heroic innings to help his side clinch their maiden ICC World Test Championship title, defeating Australia by five wickets. "This one is for South Africa," Conrad added. "We don’t often talk about the bigger picture, but this win is far bigger than just cricket." The story of the final was scripted on grit and greatness — and perhaps no moment captured it better than Bavuma, grimacing with every step, refusing to walk off, and forging a match-defining stand with Aiden Markram. Their partnership transformed a tense fourth-innings chase into a march toward destiny. South Africa had been set a target of 282, and although the Lord’s sunshine gave batsmen some respite, the weight of history loomed large. But Markram rose to the occasion with a majestic innings — one of the finest of his career — anchoring the chase with precision and poise. Yet it was Bavuma’s courage, running on one good leg, that gave the innings its character. Just 69 runs were needed when Day 4 resumed, but every single run was earned, not given. Wickets fell and nerves frayed, but when Kyle Verreynne — lucky to survive a chance moments earlier — drove the winning boundary through covers, the Proteas’ camp and travelling fans erupted in euphoric relief. A 27-year wait for a senior men’s ICC title had ended. The journey to that winning moment was as dramatic as the finish. South Africa won a critical toss and bowled first in ideal seam conditions. Rabada was electric, taking five wickets and removing a fluent Steve Smith — caught at slip off Markram’s part-time spin. Australia were restricted to 212 despite Matt Webster’s gutsy 72. But South Africa’s reply fell apart swiftly. Pat Cummins tore through the lineup with a six-wicket haul as the Proteas managed just 138, with only Bavuma and David Bedingham showing some resistance. With a 74-run first innings lead, Australia held the edge. Their advantage widened with a steady start in the second innings, but from 28/0, they crashed to 73/7 in a stunning collapse engineered by Ngidi and Rabada. Australia’s lower order fought back, with Carey and Starc adding 61 for the eighth wicket. Starc continued into Day 3, remaining unbeaten on 58 and taking Australia to 207 — setting up a final-day showdown. But South Africa, powered by Bavuma’s heart and Markram’s hands, chased history — and caught it. The roar that greeted Verreynne’s winning shot wasn’t just celebration; it was catharsis...////...