Temba Bavuma

Temba Bavuma is a South African international cricketer born on May 17, 1990, who serves as the current captain of South Africa’s Test and One Day International (ODI) teams, and has also captained in T20 Internationals. A right-handed middle-order batsman, he holds the distinction of being the first black African cricketer to score a Test century and the first black African to captain the South African national side. Bavuma made his international debut in 2014, and notably scored a century on his ODI debut against Ireland in September 2016. His consistent batting and leadership qualities have been pivotal in guiding South Africa’s cricket team, with a highlight being his captaincy during South Africa's victory in the 2025 World Test Championship—their first ICC tournament win in 27 years.

Bavuma’s cricket journey began with his domestic debut for Gauteng in 2008, and he has since represented multiple franchises including the Lions, Cape Cobras, and various teams in the Mzansi Super League and SA20. Known for his intelligent batting and solid defense, he has maintained impressive batting averages across formats. His leadership skills and resilience were demonstrated through his captaincy appointments starting in 2021, where he became the first permanent black African captain of the South African side. Bavuma continues to be a crucial figure in South African cricket both as a dependable middle-order batter and a respected leader on and off the field.