Temba Bavuma Hopes to Inspire South Africa Beyond Race Following Historic WTC Triumph

South African skipper Temba Bavuma savored his team's 2025 WTC win at Lord's, hoping to be remembered by fans beyond racial differences.

Temba Bavuma Hopes to Inspire South Africa Beyond Race Following Historic WTC Triumph

Temba Bavuma led South Africa to the 2025 WTC title. (via Crictracker)

South African skipper Temba Bavuma soaked in the emotions, as his team clinched the 2025 ICC World Test Championship at the Lord’s. The 35-year-old, along with Aiden Markram inspired his team’s comeback in the second innings, later remarking that he hopes to inspire South Africa beyond racial differences.

South Africa, having the toss, opted to bowl first in the 2025 WTC final. The Proteas managed to restrict the Australian batters to first innings total of just 212 runs, as ace speedster Kagiso Rabada claimed a five-wicket haul and all-rounder Marco Jansen scalped three wickets. However, they struggled to score runs as well, as they were bowled out for just 138 runs in the first innings.

The Australians came out to bat in the second innings, with a 69 run lead over their opponents. They went on to score 207 runs, posting a challenging 282-run target. While it was evident that the Aussies had the odds in their favor, South Africa fought back and chased down the target. POTM Aiden Markram scored a match-winning 136 runs, while captain Temba Bavuma assisted him with a crucial knock of 66 runs. 

It therefore makes 35-year-old Temba Bavuma the first South African skipper to captain the team to a major ICC title, after Hansie Cronje led the side to the 1998 ICC Knockout Cup. Bavuma even played with a strained left hamstring, as he was seen struggling to run while batting during the second innings. As he finally emerged to collect the Test mace on the stage, he was cheered on by the Lord’s crowd.

It also put an end to all the doubts surrounding his leadership, becoming the country’s first-ever Black-African captain to lead them to a title. Back in 2022-23, Temba Bavuma was racially abused by South African fans on social media, for a drop in form as well as for the team’s poor showing at the 2022 T20 World Cup. Despite his leadership abilities, Bavuma’s place in the team was repeatedly questioned, along with the ‘quota’ system that exists in the team.

However, he has silenced doubters by scoring an impressive 711 runs at the average of 59.35 during the 2023-25 WTC cycle. Bavuma, speaking after the team’s final win, stated that he wished to be recognized by fans as more than just a Black-African cricketer. He added his intent on being seen as a player who has served his country at the highest level, and hoped to inspire the future generations in South Africa.

I want to be recognized as more than just a Black-African cricketer, and to be seen as someone who has done something the country has wanted…

Bavuma added the difficulties of being the captain of the South African cricket team, as well the challenges with it. He thereafter urged the South African fans to celebrate the team’s win in unison, forgetting all the divisions and differences that exist.

Who will Succeed Temba Bavuma as South Africa’s Next Test Captain?

With Temba Bavuma having already turned 35 as South Africa claimed the WTC title, it is evident that the Proteas skipper might step down as captain. In case he steps down or retires, it will be interesting to see who succeeds him as the new red-ball captain. 

South Africa Test captain after Temba Bavuma
Aiden Markram, Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada have emerged as candidates to replace Temba Bavuma as captain, once he retires. (via Hindustan Times)

The front-runner to lead the South African Test team in the future is vice-captain Aiden Markram, who was the Player of the Match in the final of the 2025 World Test Championship, against Australia. Apart from Markram, 24-year-old Tristan Stubbs also remains a potential candidate to lead the side, alongside all-rounders Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, and ace pacer Kagiso Rabada.

It therefore remains to be seen what lies ahead for Temba Bavuma and the South African national cricket team. Following their recent WTC triumph, the team will now be shifting its focus on the limited-overs competitions, including the 2026 T20 World Cup and the 2027 ODI World Cup.