Forget the divide, celebrate WTC win as one: Temba Bavuma's message to South Africa

India Today

11 hours ago

Temba Bavuma didn't punch the air in delight. He didn't join the rest of his teammates as they sprinted onto the field at Lord's, London. The South African captain instead remained on the Lord's balcony, moments after the winning run was struck. He stood still, soaking in the emotions as South Africa clinched the World Test Championship Final, ending a 27-year-long wait. It was the pinnacle of his Test career – arguably the most significant moment in South Africa's cricketing history.advertisementWhen he finally emerged to collect the Test mace, the Lord's crowd reserved its loudest cheer for Temba Bavuma. He had taken South Africa where no other man had: to a major ICC trophy. The occasion was made even more meaningful by the years of near-misses that preceded it, and by the fact that it came under the leadership of the country's first-ever black African captain. It was a moment of reckoning — a message from Bavuma and his team to a nation still marked by the shadows of its racial history.WTC Final Report | Highlights
With the poise of a leader who had fought for more than just a trophy, Bavuma offered a heartfelt message to his fellow South Africans.'I mean, us as a team, you know, we got ourselves into the final. There were doubters as to the route that we took – supposedly playing weaker teams. We're happy that we were able to perform our best, and hopefully that kind of squashes that.advertisement"And I think for us as a country, you know, here's an opportunity for us to – as divided as we are at times – to forget all of that, rejoice in this moment, and just be one. You know, I'm sure the people back home will be celebrating it with us, and you can trust that we'll be celebrating it,' Bavuma said.They've done it! South Africa are WTC Champions!27 years of waiting ends in gloryA moment for the ages and for every fan who never stopped believing#SouthAfrica #WTCFinal pic.twitter.com/gShxDKkA3n— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) June 14, 2025South Africa, like Bavuma, silenced the doubters. Questions had been raised about the legitimacy of their place in the World Test Championship Final, despite finishing at the top of the standings. They played fewer matches than India, Australia and England, and critics argued that their victories came against lesser opponents. But on the biggest stage, South Africa dismantled serial winners Australia, extinguishing any lingering doubts. For Bavuma, it was a landmark moment in a remarkable journey – the first black African captain of the Proteas becoming the first to lift an ICC trophy.Despite his talent, Bavuma has long been scrutinised. His place in the side was questioned, and the 'quota' system was repeatedly highlighted whenever he failed. But he answered his critics with a standout performance in the 2023–25 WTC cycle – scoring 711 runs at an average of 49 and remaining unbeaten as captain.advertisementSouth Africa defeated Australia by five wickets, thanks to a sensational fourth-innings century from Aiden Markram and a gritty supporting knock from Bavuma, who battled a hamstring injury to contribute 66. Their successful chase of 282 was the second-highest fourth-innings total ever achieved at Lord's. While the batters rose to the occasion, Kagiso Rabada led the charge with nine wickets, spearheading a youthful pace attack. Rabada, Marco Jansen and Lungi Ngidi combined brilliantly to dismiss Australia for just 207 in the second innings, laying the foundation for the historic chase.RABADA IS A FUTURE HALL OF FAMER: BAVUMABavuma lauded Rabada, declaring him a future Hall of Famer. Rabada entered the final under a cloud, following a drug ban, and questions swirled around whether he was mentally ready to deliver. He responded like a champion.'Yeah, like, KG is a massive player. A couple of days ago, I attended the ICC Hall of Fame inductions. I think, you know, in a couple of years, KG will be one of those guys.advertisement"He came into the game with controversy behind him. He was motivated to do what he needed to do, and, like a champion, he came and did what he did,' Bavuma said.'AIDEN PLAYED IN AIDEN FASHION'He also showered praise on his 'partner in crime', Aiden Markram, who topped the scoring charts in the final with an outstanding 136 in the fourth innings.'Unbelievable. I think a couple of months ago, people were asking why they didn't see him in the team. Stats are important, but character is something people don't always see."A guy like Aiden, you know, he embodies all of that. When you're in the second innings, you've got to stand up, and he did – in true Aiden fashion. Another medal player for us.Character has been a big thing for us as a team, and those two guys really carry that,' Bavuma said.He stressed that this triumph is hopefully just the beginning for South Africa. Long teeming with raw talent, the team has finally learnt how to cross the final hurdle – and now, they will be hungrier than ever.Must Watch