Temba Bavuma has suggested that one of his finest wins as South Africa captain could still come in Cape Town, saying the Proteas have the momentum to win the decider.
Bavuma was central to the innings-and-31-run victory over Australia in Gqeberha, where his 179 laid the foundation for the win before the tourists collapsed.
The result sets up the third Test at Newlands from next Tuesday, where South Africa can extend their unbeaten run in home series, which dates back to 2020.
Bavuma Eyes Newlands
Asked on Thursday whether this latest win was his most special as captain outside last year’s World Test Championship final victory, Bavuma said the best may still be ahead.
“The Newlands one most probably would be, if things go according to plan,” he said.
He added that the pressure of being the reigning champions is constant. “Sometimes as a team, we forget that the target is on our back and everyone wants to have a go at us,” he said. “Everyone wants us to show our mettle as the current world champions, and everything that we do is under the microscope.”
Bavuma has now won 12 Tests, drawn one and lost one since taking over as captain in 2023, a record that ranks among the strongest in the country’s history.
The skipper also made clear that last week’s 214-run defeat to Australia in Durban, his first loss as captain, served as a wake-up call. “It was a realisation of that, but also a realisation of what it means coming up against super strong opposition,” he said. “So from a pride point of view, from a belief point of view, we’ve definitely strengthened that by being able to perform like that.”
“Momentum is a big thing, so I think that’s something that once you’ve achieved, you want to protect it, and that’s exactly what we’ll be trying to do,” he said.
Comeback Built on Team Effort
South Africa recovered from 6-110 in their first innings after a wet opening two days, making this one of the Proteas’ best performances.
Bavuma was not alone in starring. Marco Jansen enhanced his reputation as the game’s best allrounder with 85 and 5-33. Simon Harmer scored 82 as a lower-order batter, Wiaan Mulder claimed 3-64 in Australia’s second innings, and Kagiso Rabada took six wickets on his return from injury.
Rabada’s comeback was significant, as he had not played any form of cricket since May. The win also gave a clear picture of Bavuma’s emotional investment. On the final day, Steve Smith, Australia’s best batter, skied a Rabada delivery to mid-wicket, and Bavuma turned away, unable to watch as Matthew Breetzke completed the catch.
Team News and Squads
South Africa will have one forced change after Anrich Nortje suffered a groin injury. Dane Paterson, Corbin Bosch and Gerald Coetzee are all options to come in.
The third Test begins October 27 to 31 at Newlands in Cape Town, starting at 7:30pm AEDT (10:30am local time).
South Africa squad for the second Test: Temba Bavuma (c), Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Corbin Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Anrich Nortje, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Kyle Verreynne.
Australia Test squad: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Cameron Green, Sam Harper, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (second Test onwards), Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nic Maddinson, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster.