When South Africa sealed its first ICC title in 27 years with a victory of five goals over Australia in the World Cup final, Captain Temba Bavum did not celebrate like others. He still stood on the Lord’s balcony, his head buried in his hands and let the moment drop. For him it was not just about cricket – it has been a personal sacrifice, leading under pressure and long, painful waiting for a nation longs for a global title.
When he spoke at a press conference after the match, Bavum opened up about the depth of the emotion he felt when Kyle Verreynne hit the winning runs for Proteas. He admitted that he had been mentally fighting through the last few years-the repeated South African heartbreaks on his captain. After their final loss of the World Cup T20 to India in 2024, This victory meant a strong turn.
SA vs aus, WTC Final: The most important
“I think (Kyle Verreynne) scored running, I had a little head in my hands. I think I was just trying to accept and acknowledge what we had just done. At that moment I was thinking about the experience I’ve had in the last few years,” Temba said at a press conference after the match.
It was not just the captain’s triumph for the Bavum. It was a deeply personal milestone As the first Black South African Republic led its country to the ICC trophy. He talked about what it means not only for his race, but for his leadership and a contribution to the historical success of the team. Pride, he said, he wasn’t just his own – it was something hoping to resonate all over the country and inspire future generations.
“It wasn’t easy. It is not easy to be the captain of South Africa. And all the victims, all the disappointments – at that moment it really was worth it. When you go through it all, giving up is always a possibility. It is always there, at the back of your mind. But something is pushing you.
“Be recognized as more than a black African cricket – to be considered someone who has done something that the earth wanted – that means a lot. This is something I certainly go with, with my chest.
On the pitch he played Bavum’s captain’s knocking in the fourth shift and recorded the fighting 66 out of 134 supplies, although he fought with the hamstring tribe. His bold booth was part of the 147-Run partnership defining a match with Aiden Markram, who produced a magnificent century in one of the greatest stories of redemption in South African cricket.
Successful chase from South Africa 282-most than the highest in the fourth shift in Lord’s-byla built on a versatile brilliance. Kagiso Rabada conducted charges with nine goals through the match, strongly supported Marco Jansen and Lungi Ngidi, because Australia was in their second shift to 207.
Published:
Debodinna Chakracorty
Published on:
14 June 2025
