Wicketkeeper-batsman Kyle Verreynne hit the final runs in South Africa’s five-wicket win over Australia in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s in London, England, earlier this month.
This is South Africa’s first World Test Championship title. It is also their first International Cricket Council title since winning the Champions Trophy in 1998.
“I definitely know there’s a target on our backs now. We’re the champions, so every team will be up for it when they face us,” Verreynne told SportsBoom.
“A lot of people said we had an easy road, but I’ve said it many times, we’ve played every team and beaten everyone except England. And they finished fifth in the WTC standings, so I don’t think our path was any easier.
“From a personal point of view, I had a couple ups and downs. I was dropped and came back into the side. I had a really good season, scoring important runs. As a kid, you dream of playing at Lord’s. To not just be there, but to dominate, was a massive highlight.”
South Africa have never won a Cricket World Cup. They have exited the Cricket World Cup at the semi-final stage five times. In 2024, they lost the T20 World Cup final.
“Personally, I don’t know how it gets better than this. Maybe winning the 2027 World Cup, but this final was the best moment of my life, definitely,” added Verreynne.