Temba Bavuma

Cricketer#6 most popular

Birthday

May 17, 1990

Age

36 years old

Zodiac

♉︎ Taurus

Birthplace

Cape TownCape Province

Height

162 cm · 5′4″

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Temba Bavuma became the first Black African cricketer to score a Test century for South Africa in 2016, compiling an unbeaten 102 against England at Newlands. In March 2021, the Cape Town-born middle-order batter became South Africa's first permanent Black African captain when he took charge of the limited-overs teams. He later assumed the Test captaincy, leading the Proteas to the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship title.

Roots in Langa and domestic cricket

Bavuma grew up in Langa, a Cape Town township with a rich cricket culture. Fellow professional cricketers Thami Tsolekile and Malusi Siboto lived on the same street. Bavuma attended the South African College Junior School in Newlands and completed his secondary education at St David's Marist Inanda in Sandton. Former first-class player Geoffrey Toyana served as his early mentor.

His senior debut came in 2008 for Gauteng against Eastern Province. After three seasons, he joined the Lions franchise for the 2010-11 domestic season, averaging 60.50 in his maiden campaign. Strong performances followed. By 2013, he was appointed vice captain of the team after placing among the top run scorers in the Sunfoil Series. Over his domestic career, he also played for Cape Cobras, Durban Heat, Jozi Stars, Sunrisers Eastern Cape, and English county side Northamptonshire.

International breakthrough and centuries

Bavuma made his Test debut on 26 December 2014 against the West Indies at St George's Park. A year later, he broke through during the home series against England. On 5 January 2016, he scored an unbeaten 102 in Cape Town, becoming the first Black African cricketer to hit a Test century for South Africa.

His One Day International debut arrived against Ireland on 25 September 2016 in Benoni. Opening the batting alongside Quinton de Kock, Bavuma struck a century and took player-of-the-match honours. The knock made him only the second South African player to score an ODI century on debut. That November, he claimed his first and only Test wicket bowling right-arm medium pace against Australia in Perth.

Captaincy and World Test Championship triumph

In March 2021, Cricket South Africa appointed Bavuma captain of the national limited-overs teams following Quinton de Kock's exit from the role. The decision marked the first time a Black African cricketer was appointed permanent captain of the men's national side. Injuries soon followed. Hamstring, thumb, and elbow ailments disrupted his rhythm, but he still led South Africa at both the 2021 and 2022 Men's T20 World Cups.

Bavuma took over the Test captaincy in 2023. Under his leadership, South Africa won the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship title. In November 2025, he guided the team to a 2-0 Test sweep in India. His second-innings 55 in the opening match sealed South Africa's first Test win on Indian soil since 2010, securing their first series victory there in 25 years.

Quick facts

He became the first black African cricketer to score a Test century for South Africa in January 2016.
He scored a century on his ODI debut against Ireland in September 2016.
He was appointed as the first black African permanent captain of the South African national team in March 2021.
Under his leadership, South Africa won the 2023–2025 World Test Championship.
He led South Africa to their first Test series victory in India in 25 years in November 2025.
He scored a century on his ODI debut against Ireland in 2016, becoming only the second South African to achieve this.
Despite being the T20I skipper, he went unpicked in the inaugural SA20 league.
He was first signed by the Gauteng cricket team as a teenager in 2008.
He captains the South African national cricket team.
He became the first black South African cricketer to be appointed captain of the Proteas men.
He was the first black African cricketer to score a Test century for South Africa.
He has played for the DP World Lions, Six Gun Grill Cape Cobras, Durban Heat, Jozi Stars, and Sunrisers Eastern Cape.

FAQs about Temba Bavuma

Why is Temba Bavuma famous?

Temba Bavuma is famous as the first Black African cricketer to score a Test century for South Africa in 2016 and the first to be appointed permanent captain of the men's national team in 2021. He also captained South Africa to victory in the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship.