Temba Bavuma battled racism, abuse, insults and damage to ultimately finish South Africa’s look forward to an ICC Trophy.
Temba Bavuma guaranteed his place in South African folklore as the Proteas lifted the World Test Championship mace on Saturday. Bavuma himself smashed a gritty half century to down rivals Australia by 6 wickets at Lord’s. It is their first ICC title since the turn of the century, ending years of gut wrenching defeats in knock out games.
Temba Bavuma ends South Africa’s wait for an ICC title
Bavuma became just the second captain to win an ICC title with South Africa after the lifted the WTC 2025 on Saturday. Chasing a daunting 282, Aiden Markram smashed a century while Bavuma himself battled injury to score 61. The veteran thus ensured his place in history in what is a huge moment in South African cricket. Since Hansie Cronje’s men lifted the 1998 Knockout Trophy, they Proteas have fallen short at the knockouts 10 times. Markram, who won the player of the match, led the T20 side to the final of the T20 World Cup last year.
South Africa’s knockout blows
1992 World Cup: Semi final loss to England by 19 runs
- 1999 World Cup: Semi final loss to Australia after match tied.
- 2000 Knockout Trophy: Semi final loss to India by 95 runs
- 2002 Champions Trophy: Semi final loss to India by 10 runs
- 2007 ODI World Cup: Semi final loss to Australia by 7 wickets
- 2009 T20 World Cup: Semifinal loss to Pakistan by 7 runs
- 2013 Champions Trophy: Semi final loss to England by 7 wickets
- 2014 T20 World Cup: Lost to India by 6 wickets
- 2015 ODI World Cup: Semi final loss to New Zealand by 4 wickets
- 2023 ODI World Cup: Lost to Australia by 4 wickets
- 2024 T20 World Cup: Lost Final to India by 6 runs.
- 2025 World Test Championship Final: Win by 5 wickets
Bavuma is the first black player to be named permanent captain for South Africa. That tag and South Africa’s quota system have always played heavy on his shoulders. The 35-year-old has often been ridiculed, and despite his leadership, was often looked at as ab odd fit in the SA line up of trailblazers. However, the WTC cycle was where he put all of those to shame.
In 8 Tests, Bavuma smashed 711 runs at an average of 59.25. He was South Africa’s leading run getter in the WTC cycle. Among batters with more than 700 runs this cycle, only Kamindu Mendis averaged higher. The SA skipper scored 5 fifties and 2 tons in 13 innings, culminating with a Lord’s masterclass.
In many ways, the innings at Lord’s summed up Temba Bavuma’s character. He stood tall against a generational pace attack and took his side over the line. It wasn’t pretty, but was more gutsy which SA have lacked in these big games over the years. The Mecca of Cricket acknowledged the greatness on display and gave a standing ovation to the Proteas skipper. Bavuma has ensured some of those heartbreaks will have healed with South Africa’s success. His hamstring, that can wait a little longer.
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