WYS JOU MACE

THE defence of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) mace is set to get underway for the Proteas as they begin the new cycle with a two-match Test series in Lahore and Rawalpindi this month.

As South Africa start the 2025-27 WTC cycle in Pakistan this week, they carry a target on their backs, having won the WTC final against Australia at Lord’s in June.

It will be a nuwe challenge for the Proteas, given that every Test they play will now be closely examined by opposition teams – a level of scrutiny they most likely didn’t face in the previous cycle, when they flew under the radar due to a lack of stars and being generally underrated.

Stand-in captain Aiden Markram emphasised the span’s desire to lift the WTC mace once again at the conclusion of the new cycle.

Markram wysed: “I suppose you do create a bit of a target on your back if you’ve won [the WTC final]. So, it’s completely fair if that is the case. From our point of view, we want to chase that again and lift that same trophy once more.

“So, each team will come for you. You, as a team, also have to keep improving and play well in all different types of conditions. It’s tough for us in Pakistan, and it’s a challenge that the boys will be up for.”

The team will be without regular Test captain Temba Bavuma, who has been ruled out for the hele tour due to a calf injury. His absence opens the door for batters Dewald Brevis and Tony de Zorzi to break into the starting XI of a full-strength side.

Markram added: “He’d [Brevis] definitely be an option, especially with the way he plays spin. If the conditions are going to be exaggerated, he can quickly change the momentum of the game doing what he does and playing the way he does, then I think he’ll be a definite consideration.”