'While we were batting...': South Africa captain Temba Bavuma calls out Australia for sledging following WTC triumph

South Africa finally ended their 27-year long wait for an ICC trophy by defeating Australia in the final of the World Test Championship (WTC) at Lord's on Saturday. It was quite an emotional moment for the team as with the victory, they finally got rid of the dreaded 'chokers' tag that was associated with them for years.

Bavuma was left teary-eyed after the victory

South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma couldn't hold back his emotions as Kyle Verreynne hit the winning runs on the fourth day of the Test and was left teary-eyed at the balcony of the iconic stadium.

Following their five-wicket victory, Bavuma called out Australia for their brutal sledging during the final as they tried to pressurize the South African batters during the chase of the 282-run target. The 35-year-old also confirmed that the Pat Cummins-led side was repeatedly using the word 'choke' in their insults.

“While we were batting we could hear the Aussies using that dreaded word: choke. We came in with a lot of belief and a lot of doubters. We got ourselves into the final, there were doubters as to the route we took. This win squashes that. Here’s an opportunity for us as a nation, divided as we are, to unite," Bavuma said after the match.

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South Africa's catalyst to victory, Aiden Markram also echoed Bavuma's words, stating that they will not have to hear the word 'chokers' for a long time as they have finally gotten rid of the tag.

“It’ll be great to not have to hear that again. To have got the job done and to get rid of that is quite a big thing for this team. All the questions that have been asked in the past have now been answered,” Markram said following the victory.

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Markram was adjudged as the Player of the Match for his incredible knock of 136 in South Africa's second innings which massively helped the Proteas in chasing down the big target. Alongside him, Bavuma also played a pivotal role in the run-chase with his valiant innings of 66. As far as the bowling goes, Kagiso Rabada was the star for the side, picking up a total of nine scalps in the match.

Notably, this was South Africa's second-ever ICC trophy triumph. They won their first major international trophy back in 1998 by defeating West Indies in the final of the ICC Knockout Trophy.