South Africa will be watching eclipse the defenders of Australia when the two teams block the horns tomorrow (June 11) in the World Testing Championship (WTC Final 2025). While the encounter promises to be a delicious action, the Captain of Proteas, Temba Bavuma, is looking to exploit a route in the Australian armor.

The Australians decided to appoint an improvised starter in Marnus Labuschagne for partner Usman Khawaja at the other end. In particular, Labuschagne is being promoted by order at the expense of Sam Konstas, who was out of the Marquesina accessory.

Since Warner’s retreat, Australia has tried multiple players in the position in Travis Head, Steve Smith, Sam Konstas, Nathan McSweeney, but finally decided that Labuschagne partnered with Khawaja.

“I think there is an opportunity there and I think the conditions too, I think, they bring us a lot to the game. With the oscillating ball, very different from the Australian conditions and also to the conditions of South African and that definitely gives us a chance,” Bavuma told the CPI.

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Playing XIS for WTC 2025 Final

Both teams have announced their XIS game for the decisive clash of the summit. While the Australians modified their batting alignment, South Africa opted for Lungi Ngidi about Dane Paterson, who had played an important role in South Africa’s race until the final of the WTC.

Here is the XIS game for both teams.

South Africa playing Xi: Temba Bavuma (C), Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verrynne, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi.

Australia Playing XI: Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (WK), Pat Cummins (C), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.

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