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Top 10 Facts about Temba Bavuma

The pictured fieldsman is Temba Bavuma by Dave Morton/

Temba Bavuma is a South African professional cricketer who is currently the captain of the South African national team in limited overs cricket.

He also vice-captains the South African national cricket team in Test cricket, He was the first black African cricketer to make a Test century for South Africa.

At 18, he made his first-class debut for Gauteng and three seasons later was playing in the franchise team, Lions.

It was Bavuma’s performances at the Supersport season matches that helped him to rise as a prominent star in cricket.

Bavuma has always faced criticisms and slights with the same tenacity he shows at the crease, always quietly showing his class.

1. Amazingly Bavuma made his debut in 2008 with an estimated net worth of $5M

The net worth of the South African Cricketer Bavuma is estimated to be approximately between $1 million to $5 million.

Bavuma made his debut in 2008 in Gauteng against Eastern Province. Batting in the middle order, he made four runs in the first innings in which he batted.

He briefly partnered with his teammate Dane Vilas to his first-class best score, On 5 January 2016, Bavuma became the first black cricketer to make a Test century for South Africa.

In 2012, he was the fifth highest scorer in the now renamed Sunfoil Series, but at a poorer average of 31.58.

2. Temba Bavuma unbelievably suffered ridicule over his performance

Proteas white ball captain Temba Bavuma is no stranger to questions about his ability. It’s the baggage he’s carried with dignity ever since emerging as the only black batter in domestic cricket.

He’s suffered ridicule and more scrutiny over his performances than any other batter because, in some quarters, he was viewed as a quota player.

A man thrust above his station because of being black, for almost all black players, the stigma of being a quota is a crushing burden.

No matter how many good innings Bavuma has played, the bad ones are jumped on as proof that he doesn’t deserve his place.

3. The astonishing Temba Bavuma suffered an elbow injury during the Twenty series in India

South Africa white-ball skipper and Test vice-captain Temba Bavuma has been ruled out of their tour of England which starts next month.

Bavuma suffered an elbow injury during a recent Twenty series in India and needs eight weeks to recover.

The Proteas will play three world championship Tests, three one-day internationals, and three T20 internationals against England as well as two T20 internationals against Ireland in England.

South Africa has not won a Test series against the English since 2012 when Graeme Smith guided them to victory in England.

South Africa is currently second in the world Test championship and had impressive home wins against India and Bangladesh.

4. Temba Bavuma is a specialist batsman amazingly the first African batsman for the Test Squad

Starc to Temba Bavuma 2016 by Unknown Arthur/

From the same street in Langa, a township outside Cape Town, where Thami Tsolekile and Malusi Siboto were raised, came Temba Bavuma.

Unlike the wicketkeeper-batsman and medium-pacer, Bavuma is a specialist batsman and the first black African batsman picked in South Africa’s Test squad.

Without the advantage of height or power, Bavuma’s game is built on finesse and patience and has been since he moved up the country for secondary school.

Bavuma combined playing for his school with a commitment to Soweto Cricket Club, where he was mentored by Geoffrey Toyana from a young age.

5. The fascinating Temba Bavuma foundation was started to make a difference 

Cricket by Michael Weir/

Temba Bavuma is the founder of the Temba Bavuma Foundation and is currently a member of the South African cricket team in all formats of the game.

The Temba Bavuma Foundation was started in 2016, to make a meaningful difference in the lives of scholars.

The key areas of focus include providing financial support through scholarships for talented scholars to access the best quality schools in South Africa.

The Foundation facilitates cricket clinics for talented young cricketers in the townships and the refurbishment and upgrading of cricket facilities in the townships.

6. March 2021 the exquisite Bavuma was named the captain of the ODI and T20 teams 

In March 2021, Bavuma was named as the captain of South Africa’s limited over the side, taking over the captaincy from Quinton de Kock.

He captains the ODI and T20 teams, whilst serving as the vice-captain for the Test team, in addition to representing his country.

He experienced both sides of the economic food chain but ultimately broke cricket’s glass ceiling.

His rise to the peak of his game has seen him continue to create a path for the next generation of an elitist sport.

7. Remarkably Bavuma earned a spot in the national cricket team in the Supersport Series

Performing heavily in the Supersport Series earned him a spot in the national cricket team. He was called up to the national team for the 2014 Test series against West Indies.

In 2016, he became the first black cricketer to hit a century in a test match. This feat was achieved in a test match against England held in Cape Town in 2016.

The same year, he made his ODI debut representing South Africa against Ireland and grabbed his first test wicket in a test match against Australia.

In 2019, he was named to the national squad for the T20 series against India. Temba was adjudged as the captain of the senior team of South Africa in 2021.

8. Bavuma amazingly won the award of Excellency at Cricket South Africa’s annual award

Awards by Giorgio Trovato/

In May 2017, Bavuma won the Award of Excellence at Cricket South Africa’s annual awards.

In August 2019, Bavuma was named in South Africa’s Twenty20 International squad for their series against India.

He made his T20I debut for South Africa, against India, on 18 September 2019. He scored an unbeaten 102 at Cape Town in the 2nd Test of the 2015/16 series against England.

9. Tembea Bavuma astonishingly married his longtime girlfriend Phila Lobi wedded in 2018

Marriage by Sandy Miller/

Temba Bavuma is married to his longtime girlfriend Phila Lobi, they had their wedding in 2018.

However, on 24 July 2021, against Ireland in the third T20I, Bavuma scored his maiden T20I half-century, scoring 72 off 51 deliveries before being dismissed by Barry McCarthy.

In September 2021, Bavuma was named as the captain of South Africa’s squad for the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

10. The famous Bavuma made his one-day International Debut for South Africa and scored ODI

Bavuma made his One Day International debut for South Africa against Ireland on 25 September 2016 and scored his maiden ODI century.

Bavuma took his first Test wicket against Australia on 7 November 2016, Temba Bavuma made his Test debut for South Africa against the West Indies on 26 Decem