With Temba Bavuma being named the new Test captain of the Proteas, we take a look back at an article we did in issue 6 of Cricket Fanatics Magazine.

The time for talk is long gone, we need solutions and we need them now.

Temba Bavuma’s progress as a senior player could be the first step toward our return to glory. He is our ticket to building a winning mentality.

It has been well documented that the Proteas are in a rebuilding phase both from a management point of view and the squad point of view. The main focus, for now, is building a team out of the group of players that we have.

I find that the Proteas are in a similar position now as the Springboks Rugby team were before Siya Kolisi and Rassie Erasmus took over the Captaincy and Head Coach roles respectively.

The team has lost respect from the fans because of the inability to show fight in the recent past. The first goal is to regain the trust of the fans and to get the country behind the team once again.

For me, Temba Bavuma is a solution to most, if not all, of our problems.

Here’s why:

“I’m under no illusion that I’ve only scored one hundred and cricket is all about stats. But for me, I’ve never played for statistics.

“For me it is all about what I do for the team to win, making contributions at vital times,” Bavuma said passionately to Cricket Fanatics Magazine.

“That’s why I can confidently say I’ve done very well for the Proteas because that’s what’s important to me, that’s what I play for, I play for the team.”

One word that sums up this statement is RESPONSIBILITY.

We are at a stage where we need our guys to take full ownership of their performances. It’s not only the captain that leads the side, all the senior players need to come to the party too.

Bavuma is one of the Proteas senior players who we need to see rise up to the occasion for the team to stand a chance to compete in next year’s T20I World Cup and beyond.

“I believe the respect I have from my teammates is derived from that. I mean, even at the Lions, I’m not the most decorated player in the team.

“But because I’m willing to do anything for the team it puts me in good stead and gives me respect amongst my teammates. That’s how I’ve always played my cricket,” said Bavuma.

“In saying that, the responsibility to statistically still be in good standing is still there and it’s not something I’m running away from. Also, it will be nice for me to have a lot of hundreds.”

It’s clear that the man from Kwa Langa has the team’s best interests at heart even ahead of his own personal interests.

This quality is one which is very important for any team but makes it a little more crucial for the Proteas purely because of the stage they are in their development.

Temba comes from very humble beginnings. Like myself, the fact that we know what it feels like to be at the very bottom of the food chain in the townships, we tend to be hungrier and more driven than the average person.

It’s the experience of growing up with very little that makes us more determined and more appreciative of the opportunities that we have.

“Life in the township is quite a unique one. A unique one in the sense that it has its challenges, including social ills.

“But with all that, the community I grew up in there was still space for us to focus in our sport, in our passions and it was all supported,” explained Bavuma.

“I moved out of Kwa Langa when I was about 13 years old and I remember growing up there, there were guys who were equally talented as me but I guess on my side – because I was able to kind of escape out of that environment – I guess I was able to pursue and fulfil my potentials.

“Whenever I meet the friends I had growing up it’s always a reminder of how things could’ve possibly been for me had I not received the opportunities I got.

“It puts things into perspective in terms of life. Sometimes you can work hard but if the resources and opportunities are not there then things won’t happen as you’d like.”

Our biggest problem is that we succumb to pressure more often than not. Recently, there haven’t been many occasions where senior players rise-up to the occasion and take responsibility to steer the team in the right direction.

“I think I’ve never been someone who shies away from challenges or pressure.

“I always want to be honest with myself, I believe that you have to take responsibility for your actions and not run away from them,” Bavuma admitted.

“I have learned that you have to man up. You can’t run away from your problems.

“I’m scared to be seen as a failure. So, I think giving up is not something I believe in.

“Even if I make mistakes, I will come back and try to rectify my mistakes. Giving up is not there in my head, it’s not an option for me.”

The T20I World Cup is scheduled for October 2021, the team needs someone who understands where they are in their career to assist Quinton de Kock in leading the team.

As the Proteas look to build a winning mentality, Bavuma will certainly play an important role in making this a reality.

“I believe I’m where I need to be. I think I’ve moved away from the habit of creating pictures in my mind of where I want to be in 2 years.

“I’m more focused on the now. I’m trying to win this moment, the now. I’m focused on whatever challenge I’m faced with at this very moment,” he said confidently.

“We are a young team. There is a change in guard from the management side and also from the senior players’ side. Now there’s an opportunity for someone like me to lead the team.

“The team is in a fragile position in that we’re looking for people to kind of steer the ship in the right direction. Even from a skill point of view, we need people to stand up and become world-class players to contend with the other world-class players.

“You look at Australia, they were in trouble not so long ago. The likes of David Warner and Steve Smith are keeping the team afloat.

“Also, the likes of Pat Cummins have risen to the occasion and they’re taking responsibility. I think that’s where our team is going, that’s what our team needs while we’re still building and growing as a team.”

Bavuma is ready to take responsibility for his performances. He has made it clear that he aims to play a vital role as the Proteas strive to build a winning team, culture and mentality.

No matter how tough, or rocky the journey might be, he will give his all as the Proteas hunt for their first taste of World Cup glory.