Temba lama gumusha; the hope for SA cricket trophy

South Africa’s Test captain, Temba Bavuma, has described leading the Proteas to their maiden ICC World Test Championship Final as the pinnacle of his Test career since his debut in 2014.

South Africa secured their place in the once-off final with a commanding performance in the first Test against Pakistan in Centurion. The victory marked the culmination of a successful campaign in the WTC cycle, during which the Proteas won eight out of 12 Tests. Their dominant 10-wicket triumph over Pakistan in the final Test of the series sealed a 2-0 victory and confirmed their top position on the nine-team points table.

“The highest point is probably now, qualifying for the World Test Championship Final,” Bavuma said after their victory against Pakistan in Cape Town.

“That – next to me making my debut for South Africa – will be one of the biggest things,” he added.

The skipper has also credited the camaraderie that has been built by head coach, Shukri Conrad, for how well the team is performing.

“As much as we have got the success, I don’t think we are a well-oiled machine,” Bavuma said, as quoted by ICC.

“We have seen in certain moments of the game that we have let it go too much in the opposition’s favour and it has taken some form of brilliance from us to bring it back,” he said.

“When you speak about the special factor within the team, it is our ability to find a way (to win). We are still on a journey and not close to playing 100 percent. But there is something special brewing within the team and it will be scary when we are firing on all cylinders,” he added.

Bavuma and his charges will face Australia in the final at Lord’s in June.

“Hopefully, I’ll be fit around the time. That’s probably the biggest achievement for myself personally, and probably for the group as well,” he said.

“We have an opportunity to do something special for the country. One thing I know is with that group of players – everyone will try and run through a brick wall to make sure we get on the right side of that result,” Bavuma noted.