Cricket: SA skipper Temba Bavuma isn’t just hope but pride too

Bengaluru: Shortly after South Africa lifted the World Test Championship mace, an image of Temba Bavuma and his son began to circulate and instantly became viral.

In the now-iconic photo, Bavuma walks across the ground, gripping the WTC mace in his left hand and his toddler’s tiny hand in his left. His gaze rests proudly on his son, a moment of quiet triumph set against the backdrop of a hard-earned victory. The Kolkata Knight Riders shared the image on their X handle, captioning it: “Look Simba, everything the light touches is our kingdom.”

The line, drawn straight from the much-loved Lion King, couldn’t have been more fitting.

That tale of courage, responsibility and confronting the past mirrors Bavuma’s own journey in remarkable ways. He has embodied these virtues all along his rocky captaincy.     

In a nation still grappling with the aftershocks of Apartheid, the job of leading a racially diverse cricket team is anything but straightforward. South Africa’s painful history still casts long shadows. For many in the black majority, the scars of injustice remain raw. In such a scenario, Bavuma’s role isn’t just about cricket; it’s about healing, balancing and moving forward.

He must lead with empathy, ensuring every player, regardless of background, feels seen and valued. He must endure criticism with the calm of someone used to being questioned. And perhaps most importantly, he must carry the weight of the past without letting it consume the team’s future. To do all this in a high-pressure sporting environment requires a rare blend of strength and grace.

Since taking over as the Test captain Bavuma has led the team like a true leader. In a team, where you have to have a certain number of players from the disadvantaged communities to meet transformation targets, fairness can feel like an illusion. But South African cricket was never meant to be easy. In fact, nothing about South African identity is simple. Giving up captaincy, therefore, may appear an easier and wiser option.

“It’s not easy being captain of South Africa but all the sacrifices, all the disappointment, feel worth it,” he said after the WTC triumph. “Giving up is always an option. It’s always there at the back of your mind, but something kind of holds you on. For me, it was that moment there to be recognised as more than just a black African cricketer, but to be seen as someone who’s done something that the country has wanted.

That’s something that I’ll definitely walk around with my chest out. And I hope that it continues to inspire our country.”

While Bavuma has been a true leader with his words and wisdom, the one thing that could have gone against him is his lack of performance with the bat and favourable results.

He couldn’t justify his place in the T20 set-up and his mixed record in ODIs has left a lot to be desired. But it’s in Tests that he has found his true calling card -- both as captain and batter.   

Appointed ahead of the just concluded cycle, Bavuma set a record for the joint-most wins (9) in first 10 Tests as captain, a record previously held solely by England’s Percy Chapman. His impact as a batter has been equally good with the right-hander having accumulated 711 runs in 13 innings at an impressive average of 59.30. 

South Africa, who were accused of prioritising their franchise T20 tournament at the cost of Tests, had the least probability of qualifying for the WTC final among four contenders with India enjoying the highest probability. But as it turned out, South Africa not only qualified thanks to their impeccable home run, but went on to stun overwhelming favourites Australia with an wounded Bavuma fighting like a lion for his “pride”. Bavuma, whose first name means hope, is no longer just the hope of millions of black Africans, but their pride as well.