Keshav Maharaj: Turning past disappointments into World Test Championship triumph

As a key player who stars in all formats, Keshav Maharaj has had his fair share of heartbreak in Proteas colours over the last few years.

The left-arm spinner was part of the side that finished runners-up at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2024, while the Proteas also reached the semi-finals of both the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 and ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Those near misses still sting, as the South African cricket side continue to be regarded as nearly men.

But, ahead of the World Test Championship (WTC) final, Maharaj wants them to channel that heartbreak into vibes ahead of Wednesday morning’s first day at the historic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London.

“In previous attempts, no one expected us to reach the knockout phases of any competition, but we have reached two semi-finals and two finals,” Maharaj told the ICC.

“Hopefully through all those misses we come right in this one. There is a lot of inspiration we can draw from in the brand of cricket we have played in the last three or four years.

“If we run with it and stay true to it, hopefully this is our opportunity to finally raise that most-coveted trophy that has eluded us for a number of years.”

This Test team has been up for every fight thus far, except in New Zealand in January 2024 when a virtual third-string Proteas team got hammered while the top guns were playing in the SA20.

The Proteas won their last seven Test matches to qualify for the final by playing some aggressive cricket and with everybody in the team making big contributions.

Compared to the last Proteas side that held the ICC Test Championship mace at Lord’s in 2012, Shukri Conrad’s team do not have many legendary names such as Jacques Kallis, Dale Steyn and Graeme Smith.

What they do have is a strong team culture second to none, and beating Australia in the WTC final will surely see their names also stand alongside some of the greats of the South African game.

“I remember watching that when they lifted the mace,” Maharaj said.

“We know that apart from doing it for us, we want to honour the legends of the past and hopefully we will one day be seen in the same calibre and light to win such a coveted title and hold the Test mace.

“When we started the journey two years ago, a lot of people didn’t think we’d be in this situation, but with each and every series we grow more and more,” added Maharaj.

“Our blend of youth and experience complements each other really nicely, and we find ourselves competing for another trophy.

“The boys have put in a lot of hard work. The excitement is building as we edge closer and it’s now about letting it sink in and soaking up the occasion to allow us to play with freedom.”