Exclusive: No One’s Words Command Respect Like Temba Bavuma’s, Says Geoffrey Toyana

Proteas skipper Temba Bavuma is a soft-spoken leader held in the highest regard, and what he has done for the game in South Africa is immeasurable according to Geoffrey Toyana.

Toyana, at one point tipped to become Proteas coach back in 2017 before Cricket South Africa went in a different direction, coached Bavuma at the Lions during the rising star’s formative years.

In fact, Toyana won four trophies in his first three seasons in charge at the Lions when Bavuma was making a name for himself in first-class cricket.

The pair actually go even further back, to when Bavuma was playing at Soweto Cricket Club and Toyana helped mentor the youngster.

Flash forward to 2025, and Bavuma is looking ahead to the World Test Championship final in June when he will lead the Proteas in their quest to win their elusive piece of ICC silverware.

The Proteas batsman was also honoured on April 1 by his tertiary institution St David’s Marist Brothers Inanda, which renamed its main cricket field to the Temba Bavuma Oval.

The Calm and Respected Leadership of Temba Bavuma

Speaking in an exclusive interview with SportsBoom.co.za, Toyana gave some insight into why Bavuma has been such a successful, inspirational leader.

“Temba's best quality is calmness. At the Lions change room at the time, even though he was still young and coming through the ranks. And I've always told him that one day he's going to be a leader, because of his calmness and the respect he has for people,” said Toyana.

“He’s one of those leaders, quite quiet, but when he speaks, people listen. That's a great argument for why he’s a good leader.”

Redemption in the World Test Championship

As for the World Test Championship, with Bavuma at the helm, the Proteas have another chance to win a major ICC event, since they fell at the final hurdle to India in the T20 World Cup last year.

“I'm looking forward to that. I think the whole country is looking forward to that. I think the preparations going into that final will be very, very important."

“I'm very excited. The team has done very well. And Temba as well has led the team very well. It will be great for South Africa if, like the Proteas Test team, we win that World Test Championship.”

Inspiring Change through Cricket and Education

Off the cricket field, Bavuma has been an inspirational figure as the first Black African captain of the Proteas, much like Siya Kolisi has done for rugby fans in the country.

Having played 147 matches across all three formats, the top-order batsman also started the Temba Bavuma Foundation in 2016, which aims to make a difference in the lives of school children from disadvantaged backgrounds through education and cricket. 

“Temba is loved all over the country. He's quite open to people as well. I mean, the things he does outside of the playing field are really, really amazing,” Toyana told SportsBoom.co.za.

“The foundation that he's formed and him giving back to the people of South Africa. It’s a great testament to what a person Temba is. And yes, we love Temba.”

Promotion and Relegation in South African Domestic Cricket

As for the proposed changes to the structure in domestic cricket, with a new promotion and relegation system being touted, Toyana said it was all about making the national team stronger. If that can be achieved, then the changes could be a good thing, explained Toyana.

“I think the biggest thing for me is to make sure that the Proteas are strong, so first-class cricket is important in any country."

“And the way that they've done it here in South Africa with the relegation and promotion, that pushes for strength versus strength."

“And it makes our cricket strong as well. Yes, [it’s] exciting this year because there was a bit of drama, with teams like the Warriors at the time, and Western Province under pressure of relegation and the Knights now."

“This is the last weekend. It will be quite exciting to see who goes down, and whoever goes down and that changes their season. The change of the new structure, which will happen, I think in 2026 and 2027. I think that's something that we have to be careful about in terms of that inclusivity and make sure that we don't exclude, like some of the provinces and make sure that everyone is still in it.”