The newly appointed Proteas captain, Temba Bavuma, said assuming the captaincy role for the red-ball side means a lot to him as he looks to lead the side to victory against the West Indies in a two-match Test series beginning on Tuesday.

Bavuma takes over the reins from Dean Elgar as part of CSA’s “restructuring within the leadership group.”

“The question about my relationship with Dean, I think it’s a bit of a naughty one because there is nothing amiss and there is nothing wrong in my relationship with Dean,” he said on Friday.

“Dean and I have always been good teammates and I have always looked up to him as a senior player. He helped me to settle within the team and I don’t see how things can change with whatever changes have been made from a leadership point of view.

“I have had discussions with Dean and there is nothing between me and Dean that anybody needs to be worried or concerned about.”

He spoke about embracing the role and the challenges that lie ahead.

“It’s probably been the most coveted one among the players,” said Bavuma.

“First and foremost, my dream was always to play Test cricket, and now to have lived that dream and also have the opportunity of leading the team, it’s a lot more special.”

“It means a lot to me and my family,” he added.

The 32-year-old, who was recently part of the Eastern Cape Sunrisers’ SA20 triumph before playing for the Lions in the 4-Day series, also opened up on his reasons for stepping away from the T20 captaincy.

“I was always going to consider my role when it comes to the white ball stuff, and I think probably in the best interest of the team and everyone involved, I was always going to make that decision, it was just a matter of when.

“There was no urgency from my side, but I guess the way things have happened is the way CSA and Enoch have decided, and this was the way to go and announce the leaders for the different formats and let things move forward.”

When asked about some of the challenges he expects to face as captain, Bavuma stated quite a few but was adamant that nothing solid could be built due to the lack of Test matches to be played this year.

“It will be a big challenge,” he said.

“I think if I look at the Test team against the white ball team, the white ball side is more experienced.”

He added: “Guys in the ODI team have more chances of playing cricket around the world, whereas in Test cricket it is quite limited.

“We only play three games a year; it’s difficult to build something substantial when you only play three games a year.”

The first test between South Africa and the West Indies will begin on Tuesday at SuperSport Park in Centurion. Play begins at 10:00 am.