Exclusive: Temba Bavuma Dreams of "Cherry on Top" by Leading Proteas to World Test Championship Title

South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma says winning the World Test Championship (WTC) could easily count as the highlight of his career.

Having experienced a number of close calls in ICC events which have ultimately ended in disappointment, most notably the 2024 T20 World Cup final which South Africa lost to India, there is a genuine sense of belief that this Proteas side has what it takes to win the WTC.

That belief is strengthened by the path SA took to reach the final, as they ended as the top-ranked side in the current WTC cycle. The Proteas achieved this by winning their last couple of series in a row  of the WTC cycle, including wins over Bangladesh away and beating the touring Sri Lanka and Pakistan sides.

Traditionally, South Africa has reached greater heights in Test cricket, most notably winning the ICC Test mace as the number one ranked team with their series victory over hosts England in 2012. 

That’s also excluding their Test series wins over host Australia in 2008/2009, 2012/2013, and 2016.

Bavuma's Leadership

Bavuma was still a young player rising up the Proteas ranks, but made some key contributions in that 2016 series against Australia with two half-centuries batting in the middle order.

Now as an established leader and an elder statesman in the side, Bavuma, who will be 35 by the time he walks out at the home of cricket, is convinced it would be the pinnacle of his cricket journey.

“Yeah, [winning it will] probably be the biggest thing in my career. I’ve been captain now since 2021, 2022, or something like that. There have been good moments, there have been tough moments,” Bavuma told SportsBoom.co.za in an exclusive interview.

“And I think this would be the cherry on top. I think it would make it would put value in everything that I've gone through, what we've gone through as a team."

“As a team, we've come very close on a couple of occasions now. I think now is another opportunity for us to really go for it and grab the bull by the horn. It would be great for me. I'm not desperate about it, but I mean, myself and the team will put our best foot forward to make sure that we end up on the right side of the result.”

Momentous Clash with Australia at Lord’s

For now though, there is still much preparation ahead for the Proteas before they will be ready to face their old foes.

“At the moment it's still excitement. I think just the prospect of coming up against Australia, the prospect of being in the final, the prospect of playing at Lord’s, I think all those feel-good emotions at the moment. Closer to the time, we'll start dealing with the nerves and everything that comes with the occasion."

“I mean, plans, conversations have already started happening, so we're trying to be as prepared as we can, considering everything, but yeah, a lot of excitement at this point.”

It’s also been eight years since Bavuma played at Lord’s, and he will be looking to produce similar results or better after he scored 59 and 21 in a series that did not go South Africa’s way as they lost 3-1. 

“Yeah, that's a major part of that excitement. The first and last time I played there was the 2017 England Series. I got a 50 there. But yeah, hopefully I can get a little bit more than what I got then, and just enjoying the tradition and spectacle that it is being at Lord’s."

de Kock and Rickelton Impressing in IPL

Though he doesn’t get a chance to watch much Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket these days, Bavuma was pleased to see fellow Proteas Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton notching up some big scores.

“I’m glad Quinton is amongst the runs. I think he's probably one of my favourite players and batting partners as well. I'll always be in his corner rooting for him. I'm sure the other guys will enjoy that opportunity. The younger guys as well,Ryan Rickelton. As you saw, Rickelton was in the runs yesterday, so happy for him as a fellow Lions player. But yeah, great experience for the boys.”

Kwena Maphaka: South Africa's Rising Cricket Talent

One young fast bowler that Bavuma is optimistic will have a long future for South Africa is left-arm quick Kwena Maphaka. 

That doesn’t mean Bavuma enjoys facing the bowler, who celebrates his 19th birthday in April, in practice though.

“Kwena Maphaka is an exciting talent, a wonderful talent. He can bowl quick, as you would have seen on TV."

“Not the best facing him in the nets. But I think, yeah, you speak about the future of South African cricket being bright."

“I think he obviously forms a part of that. And I think he's quite fortunate as well, being able to come into the team, learn his trade, and he's got a guy like Kagiso Rabada bowling with him in the nets."

"He's exciting, still young, still raw in a lot of ways. And I guess the way that we handle him, the way that we manage him will be very important to make sure that he can reach his potential," he concluded.