Proteas return home as ICC World Test champions: A hero’s welcome at OR Tambo
The South African men’s cricket team touched down at OR Tambo International Airport to a great reception after claiming the ICC World Test Championship title. Fans, family, and officials gathered to celebrate the Proteas’ historic triumph and to glimpse the coveted Mace in South African hands.
Temba Bavuma with the ICC World Test Championship Mace during the South Africa men's national cricket team arrival at OR Tambo International Airport on June 18, 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Gallo Images/Alet Pretorius)
Temba Bavuma interacts with supporters during the South Africa men's national cricket team arrival at OR Tambo International Airport on June 18, 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Gallo Images/Alet Pretorius) Supporters waving South African flags and holding placards during the South Africa men's national cricket team arrival at OR Tambo International Airport on June 18, 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Gallo Images/Alet Pretorius) Lungi Ngidi interacts with a fan during the South Africa men's national cricket team arrival at OR Tambo International Airport on June 18, 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Gallo Images/Alet Pretorius) Supporters waving South African flags and holding placards during the South Africa men's national cricket team arrival at OR Tambo International Airport on June 18, 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Gallo Images/Alet Pretorius) Proteas fans during the South Africa men's national cricket team arrival at OR Tambo International Airport on June 18, 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by OJ Koloti/Gallo Images) Gayton McKenzie (Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture of South Africa) during the South Africa men's national cricket team arrival at OR Tambo International Airport on June 18, 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by OJ Koloti/Gallo Images) Proteas fans during the South Africa men's national cricket team arrival at OR Tambo International Airport on June 18, 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by OJ Koloti/Gallo Images) Gayton McKenzie (Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture of South Africa) with Proteas team during the South Africa men's national cricket team arrival at OR Tambo International Airport on June 18, 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by OJ Koloti/Gallo Images) Wiaan Mulder signing autographs during the South Africa men's national cricket team arrival at OR Tambo International Airport on June 18, 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Gallo Images/Alet Pretorius) Marco Jansen signing autographs during the South Africa men's national cricket team arrival at OR Tambo International Airport on June 18, 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Gallo Images/Alet Pretorius) Temba Bavuma interacts with supporters during the South Africa men's national cricket team arrival at OR Tambo International Airport on June 18, 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Gallo Images/Alet Pretorius) Temba Bavuma with the ICC World Test Championship Mace during the South Africa men's national cricket team arrival at OR Tambo International Airport on June 18, 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Gallo Images/Alet Pretorius) DM
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/ED_561625.jpg "Temba Bavuma interacts with supporters during the South Africa men's national cricket team arrival at OR Tambo International Airport on June 18, 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Gallo Images/Alet Pretorius)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/ED_561633.jpg "Supporters waving South African flags and holding placards during the South Africa men's national cricket team arrival at OR Tambo International Airport on June 18, 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Gallo Images/Alet Pretorius)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/ED_561623.jpg "Lungi Ngidi interacts with a fan during the South Africa men's national cricket team arrival at OR Tambo International Airport on June 18, 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Gallo Images/Alet Pretorius)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/ED_561639.jpg "Supporters waving South African flags and holding placards during the South Africa men's national cricket team arrival at OR Tambo International Airport on June 18, 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Gallo Images/Alet Pretorius)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/TL_2411658.jpg "Proteas fans during the South Africa men's national cricket team arrival at OR Tambo International Airport on June 18, 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by OJ Koloti/Gallo Images)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/TL_2411673.jpg "Gayton McKenzie (Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture of South Africa) during the South Africa men's national cricket team arrival at OR Tambo International Airport on June 18, 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by OJ Koloti/Gallo Images)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/TL_2411681.jpg "Proteas fans during the South Africa men's national cricket team arrival at OR Tambo International Airport on June 18, 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by OJ Koloti/Gallo Images)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/TL_2411693.jpg "Gayton McKenzie (Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture of South Africa) with Proteas team during the South Africa men's national cricket team arrival at OR Tambo International Airport on June 18, 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by OJ Koloti/Gallo Images)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/ED_561628.jpg "Wiaan Mulder signing autographs during the South Africa men's national cricket team arrival at OR Tambo International Airport on June 18, 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Gallo Images/Alet Pretorius)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/ED_561619.jpg "Marco Jansen signing autographs during the South Africa men's national cricket team arrival at OR Tambo International Airport on June 18, 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Gallo Images/Alet Pretorius)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/ED_561617.jpg "Temba Bavuma interacts with supporters during the South Africa men's national cricket team arrival at OR Tambo International Airport on June 18, 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Gallo Images/Alet Pretorius)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/ED_561635.jpg "Temba Bavuma with the ICC World Test Championship Mace during the South Africa men's national cricket team arrival at OR Tambo International Airport on June 18, 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Gallo Images/Alet Pretorius) DM")
Temba Bavuma with the ICC World Test Championship Mace during the South Africa men's national cricket team arrival at OR Tambo International Airport on June 18, 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Gallo Images/Alet Pretorius)