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As the World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2025 enters its later stages, South Africa face mounting pressure and growing concerns in their quest for a maiden WTC title, while defending champions Australia tighten their grip at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground on a crucial Day 3. Fans and supporters across social media expressed visible frustration, with many declaring that it’s all over for the Proteas.
Australia tightens the grip on Day 3 of the final
Defending champions Australia, after gaining a significant lead on Day 2, began the third day on a strong note. Despite a major collapse in their second innings on Day 2, where they were reduced to 73 for 7, valuable contributions from Alex Carey and later Mitchell Starc steadied the innings. Their crucial runs not only revived Australia’s momentum but also helped extend the lead to over 250 runs—putting immense pressure on South Africa heading into the final phases of the Test.
The Proteas, on the other hand, looked lost against Australia’s lower order. After a strong bowling performance on Day 2—when Lungi Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada ripped through the top order—their bowling looked flat in the final session of Day 2 and the morning of Day 3. Poor fielding in the slips and low energy on the field added to their troubles, making things worse at a crucial stage of the match.
A huge challenge ahead for South Africa in the fourth innings
The Proteas had a poor outing with the bat in the first innings, as Pat Cummins‘ tight and accurate bowling completely outplayed their lineup. With a big target now ahead of them on a pitch that’s getting harder to bat on, senior players like Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma will need to step up and play a key role to keep South Africa in the game.
Australia are in full control after a strong fightback from their lower-order batters. Now, they just need to bowl with focus, stick to their line and length, and wait for the Proteas to make mistakes. With the pitch slowing down and showing uneven bounce, the Aussies will back themselves to finish the job and defend their World Test Championship title in style.
Also READ: Here’s why South Africa and Australian players are wearing black armbands on Day 3 of WTC 2025 Final
Here’s how fans reacted:
Lead now 260
— Mujahid Iqbal (@MZeeshan741594)
Catch drop by Marco Jansen costed and still costing you….
In same that lbw of Webster in first innings in which umpire given not out and south africa didn't take review…— Amandeep Sinha (@S_Amandeep_)
There must be not many things more frustrating in Cricket for a team than not being able to take last wicket of an innings in Test cricket…
— Vimal Kumar (@KumarVimal56)
Aussies are in a solid position right now 250 runs lead tailenders have done their work looks like Aussies are in no mood to loose
— Shalabh Seth (@coolshalabh2010)
South Africans are absolute Chokers
— Burger Off (@salmanahmad821)
It's over for South Africa
— Ashish Meena | Graphic Designer (@AshishMeena08)
Starc is literally batting Proteas out of the game. Could Bavuma be the clutch batter they need? Who can rise up to this occasion and make it count for history books!
— Sriram Gudipoodi (@ramgudipoodi)
So stressed right now 😣😣… This last partnership needs to be broken
— Dudu *dee* Ngwenya (@Dudzeen)
South Africans year again proves they are chokers!
Having Aussies under the mat they let the tail score 80 plus so far
— Srikanth Govind (@Srikanth_Govind)
It is getting too frustrated now. Someone please get Starc out.
— Modiji Ka Favourite आम (@KaFavourite)
South Africa's performance proves that why they are called chokers 🙃
– Australia close to win their 2nd WTC
— Aman (@Amanriz78249871)
Also WATCH: South Africa’s brilliant review removes Steve Smith on Day 2 of SA vs AUS clash