South Africa won the World Test Championship against titleholder Australia by five wickets after knocking off the last 69 runs required on Day Four of the final on Saturday.

The Proteas achieved their first major cricket title in 27 years, sparking celebrations at Lord’s. They moved from a portentous 213-2 overnight to 282-5, the second-highest successful run chase at Lord’s.

Aussies fight till the end

Australia didn’t give up the WTC mace easily, relentlessly attacking the stumps and pressuring a South African side with an infamous history of blowing winning positions on big ICC stages. But South Africa was staunch and composed — only three boundaries in more than two hours — and lost only three wickets on Saturday in an air of inevitability.