South Africa has a long history of stumbling at the last and most important obstacle. However, the Rainbow Nation will hope that when the Proteas take the field at the Lord's Cricket Ground on Wednesday for the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia, the tide will change. Even though Pat Cummins and his teammates are the overwhelming favorites for the competition, 2025 is the year that teams are most likely to end their championship drought.

South Africa has cause to believe that anything is possible given that Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) won their first Champions League title, Crystal Palace captured their first significant trophy in 120 years, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) won their first Indian Premier League (IPL) championship.

Under the leadership of Temba Bavuma, the squad was the first to secure their place in the WTC championship game. The side accomplished the feat in December 2024 when it defeated Pakistan in the Centurion Test. Some critics have claimed that South Africa had an easier route to the WTC final than the other teams, but the fact that the Proteas made it to the final of a significant Test championship makes for a compelling narrative, so one cannot whine.

All eyes are on Kagiso Rabada, the maverick pacer from South Africa who recently made headlines after testing positive for a recreational drug, in advance of the WTC final between Australia and South Africa. Rabada is now playing competitive cricket after serving a one-month ban. It's important to determine if Australia attempts to irritate Rabada by mentioning his favorable drug test.

Daryll Cullinan, a former South African batsman, about the WTC championship and if he believes Bavuma and company can pose a threat. In light of his recent drug test, he also advised Rabada to have a thick skin because he anticipates that teams will try to break Rabada.

What are South Africa's prospects in the WTC final? Do you believe they are considered underdogs when they participate in the competition?

Australia and South Africa have a strong chance. Because neither side is coming off a strong bit of Test cricket, their Test cricket preparation will not be at the necessary level in terms of both the game and the mental aspects. The weather must be taken into account. Since the English season is still in its early stages, we have to wait and see what kind of pitch will be used.

It's possible for either side to prevail. Neither side is the favorite, in my opinion. The victor will be determined by who plays better cricket over the course of four to five days and wins critical moments with the bat and ball.

Will Australia bring up Kagiso Rabada's favorable drug test result in an attempt to pursue him?

Regretfully, for the remainder of his career, Rabada will have to cope with remarks made both on and off the field by fans. He's the only one who can handle it. Simply taking wickets would be the ideal approach. I believe it would be foolish to assume that there won't be any remarks made and that his attention will be drawn to it, even though it will resolve that aspect of the problem. However, he will have to put up with it for the duration of his career, even if he is taking wickets.

But he must confront that. He will have to put up with it, in my opinion, even though I don't think any cricket player or individual would enjoy being reminded of your indiscretions in the workplace. As I said, a good performance will go a long way toward laying that to rest, but he will always be reminded of it as long as he is participating in cricket.

How would you describe Temba Bavuma's leadership? What is your opinion of his abilities as a leader?

Honestly, I've never watched enough cricket in regards to Bavuma. I don't believe he's a terrible captain; I'm simply trying to assess him as one. In this game of cricket, I don't believe he will be remembered as a fantastic captain. Certainly not a terrible one. I also believe that the players are behind him. And he's been the best South African hitter for a while now.

As a result, he earns his position. He has earned his position. Furthermore, he has not demonstrated that he is a poor captain. Therefore, I believe that he is doing well right now, just like any captain, as long as he is scoring runs. When they are scoring runs, there are superior captains. They are simply relieved of the strain, allowing them to lead with greater courage and assurance.

However, in my opinion, he has served South Africa really well, and I have faith that he will keep doing so. In my opinion, he's a bright man. He depends on his surroundings and will be the first to realize when he needs that assistance. Therefore, in terms of his leadership approach and traits, I believe he's doing well.

The label of chokers is one that South Africa frequently has to contend with. Will this be an impediment?

The moniker chokers will come up as long as South Africa plays cricket. In this regard, I'm not really sure if it will necessarily go too far. It will be thrown at them once more if they lose. Winning trophies and dispelling that moniker is the best way for them to handle it.

If South Africa is going to defeat Australia, who would you identify as the most important players?

For me, South Africa's pace attack would be the most important element. In my opinion, both teams have strong speed attacks. South Africa has a lot of diversity in their left and right arms. Keshav Maharaj is their genuine, consistent spinner. In the end, South Africa's power lies in its speed attack.

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