January 7, 2025: South Africa’s Test captain, Temba Bavuma, has described leading his team to their maiden ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final as the high point of his Test career, a significant achievement since his debut in 2014. Bavuma reflected on the momentous occasion following South Africa’s victory over Pakistan, which secured their spot in the WTC Final.
“I think the highest point (is) probably now, qualifying for the (World Test Championship) Final,” Bavuma said, according to the ICC. “That – next to me making my debut for South Africa – will be one of the biggest things,” he added, acknowledging the personal and collective importance of this achievement.
The Proteas’ qualification for the WTC Final came after a commanding victory in the first Test against Pakistan at Centurion. This win marked the end of a successful campaign in the 2023-25 WTC cycle, with South Africa securing eight wins from 12 Tests. Their dominant 10-wicket win over Pakistan in the final Test of the series sealed a 2-0 victory and secured their top spot on the nine-team points table.
Bavuma praised his team’s resilience and the special bond forming within the squad. “We have an opportunity to do something special for the country,” he said. “One thing I know is with that group of players, everyone will try and run through a brick wall to make sure we get on the right side of that result.”
However, Bavuma also acknowledged that despite their success, the team has areas to improve. “As much as we have got the success, I don’t think we are a well-oiled machine,” he said. “We have seen in certain moments of the game that we have let it go too much in the opposition’s favour, and it has taken some form of brilliance from us to bring it back.”
“But there is something special brewing within the team, and it will be scary when we are firing on all cylinders,” Bavuma added, emphasizing that they are still on a journey and haven’t yet reached their full potential.
South Africa will face Australia in the WTC Final, after Australia secured their place with a 3-1 series win over India at home. Bavuma expressed mixed feelings about facing the mighty Australians. “Look, if I can choose one team, probably not Australia. But I mean it is what it is, right?” he quipped.
The captain emphasized the importance of mental preparation ahead of the final. “We’ll prepare as well as we can for Australia, probably more mentally,” he said. “You don’t want to burden the younger guys with whatever baggage that we come with. We’ll obviously have to adjust our processes for the conditions in England and obviously the opposition as well. But we’ll stay true to that. And we’ll go out and fight, whatever happens, we’ll go out and fight.”
The highly anticipated World Test Championship Final will take place at Lord’s in London from June 11 to 16, 2025, where South Africa will have the chance to secure their first-ever WTC title in what promises to be an epic showdown with Australia.
As Temba Bavuma and his team head into the final, they carry not only their dreams of Test glory but the hopes of a nation behind them. With a blend of experience, talent, and determination, South Africa will be ready to take on Australia in a battle for Test supremacy.
