Temba Bavuma is a South African international cricketer and the current captain of the Test and ODI sides. Standing 5 feet 4 inches (163 cm) tall, the 35-year-old right-handed middle-order batsman is known for his technical precision and composed leadership. During the South Africa tour of India in 2025, he led the side from the front, anchoring the innings at No. 3—his preferred position—while guiding a young batting unit in challenging subcontinental conditions.
In the SA20 league, he most recently represented the Sunrisers Eastern Cape, contributing as a senior top-order batter. His historic feat as the first black African to score a Test century, combined with his strong fielding and calm decision-making, continues to make him a key pillar of South African cricket.
Properties through real estate ventures, luxury cars including Ford Mustang GT, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi TT Sport, BMW 7 Series
Teams Played For
Team
Years Active
South Africa
2014
Gauteng
2008 – 2017
Highveld Lions
2010 – 2018
Cape Cobras
2017 – 2018
Durban Heat
2018
Jozi Stars
2019
Sunrisers Eastern Cape
2023
South Africa A
2012 – 2015
Education
Qualification
Institution
School (Primary)
South African College Junior School, Newlands
School (High School)
St David’s Marist Inanda, Sandton
University
BCom Financial Management (incomplete), University of Johannesburg; Advanced Real Estate Course, University of Cape Town
Complete Career Stats
Format
Matches
Runs
Highest Score
Average
Strike Rate
100s
50s
Test
68
3,542
172
35.77
43.52
1
21
ODI
42
1,611
144
45.88
83.95
2
11
T20I
36
670
72
22.33
116.26
0
1
SA20
15
311
78
23.92
130.67
0
2
Temba Bavuma Recent Form – Last 5 Matches
Format
Opponent
Date
Runs / Wickets
Venue
Test
India
November 26, 2025
41 & 4
Guwahati
Test
India
November 15, 2025
8 & 55*
Kolkata
ODI
England
September 14, 2025
3
Southampton
ODI
England
September 12, 2025
2
Lord’s
ODI
England
September 10, 2025
5
Bristol
Career Highlights
Year
Achievement
2016
Became first black African cricketer to score a Test century for South Africa (102* vs England)
2016
Scored century on ODI debut (113 vs Ireland)
2017
Won Award of Excellence at Cricket South Africa’s annual awards
2021
Appointed as South Africa’s white-ball captain
2022
Appointed as South Africa’s Test captain
2023
Scored career-best ODI score of 144 vs West Indies
2023
Scored career-best Test score of 172 vs West Indies
2024
Led South Africa to T20 World Cup final
2025
Led South Africa to World Test Championship title victory
2025
Achieved 11 wins in first 12 Tests as captain (unbeaten record)
2025
Led South Africa to first Test series win in India since 2000
Major Trophies & Awards
Year
Competition/Trophy
Significance
2016
Test Century Milestone
Became the first Black African South African to score a Test century (102* vs England)
2016
ODI Debut Century
Scored 113 on ODI debut vs Ireland; Player of the Match
2018–19
CSA 4-Day Franchise Series
Winner with Highveld Lions
2020
CSA T20 Challenge
Winner with Lions; contributed as senior batter
2021
South Africa Limited-Overs Captaincy
Appointed full-time ODI & T20I captain – first Black African to lead SA
2022
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup (SA semifinal campaign)
Led South Africa as captain in the tournament
2023
CSA 4-Day Domestic Series
Winner with Lions
2025
ICC World Test Championship
Captain of South Africa’s WTC-winning Test side
Additional Achievements
Achievement
Context
First black African Test captain
Permanently appointed in 2021 for limited-overs, 2022 for Tests
Second South African to score ODI century on debut
Only three SA players have achieved this feat
Unbeaten Test captaincy record
11 wins, 1 draw in first 12 matches as captain
Most Test wins before first loss
Broke Mike Brearley’s record of 10 wins
Historic series victory in India
Led 2-0 whitewash in 2025, first series win since 2000
Interesting Facts About
He grew up on the same street in Langa Township as fellow cricketers Thami Tsolekile and Malusi Siboto, creating a unique cricket legacy from one neighborhood.
Despite his relatively small stature in cricket terms, Bavuma uses his lower center of gravity to his advantage, enabling quicker footwork and better balance.
He completed an advanced real estate course from the University of Cape Town and serves as a non-executive director of Khulanathi Property Group.
Bavuma runs the Temba Bavuma Foundation, which sponsors young cricketers and organizes the annual Langa All Day Festival of Cricket in his hometown.
He is an avid golfer who started playing in 2017 and regularly participates in amateur tournaments during his downtime.
Bavuma was not selected in the inaugural SA20 auction in 2022 but was later contracted by Sunrisers Eastern Cape after his outstanding ODI performance against England.
He holds the remarkable distinction of being unbeaten in his first 12 Tests as captain, winning 11 and drawing one, a record unmatched in Test cricket history.
His leadership helped South Africa win their first ICC trophy in 27 years when they claimed the 2025 World Test Championship title.
A 35-year-old cricketer measuring 5 feet 4 inches from Cape Town, Bavuma continues to excel as South Africa’s Test and ODI captain. His remarkable journey from the streets of Langa Township to leading the Proteas reflects determination, skill, and unwavering commitment. Over the years, he has represented teams including Lions, Cape Cobras, and Sunrisers Eastern Cape, earning recognition for his technical batting, exceptional fielding, and inspirational leadership. With an estimated net worth of ₹80 crore and a historic unbeaten Test captaincy record, Bavuma remains one of the most significant figures in modern cricket.
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