Temba Bavuma's Test Batting Average Before And After Becoming South Africa's Captain

Brad Newcomb

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Last updated: 20 Jun 2025

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Brad Newcomb 20 Jun 2025

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Temba Bavuma led SA to their first ICC World Title at Lord's in 2025.
Bavuma's impressive captaincy: 9 wins, 1 draw in 10 matches.
Bavuma excels as captain, scoring 911 runs at 56.93 average since 2023.

Temba Bavuma has yet to lose a Test match during his tenure as captain of South Africa (Getty Images)

Temba Bavuma's composed 66, combined with a crucial 147-run stand alongside centurion Aiden Markram, propelled South Africa to a historic victory in the 2025 World Test Championship at Lord's—highlighting his rise as an influential run scorer in Test match cricket.

Temba Bavuma guided South Africa to their first-ever ICC World Title by defeating Australia in the World Test Championship final at Lord's, becoming the most successful captain in Test match cricket after just ten games, recording nine wins and one draw.

Before taking on the captaincy, Bavuma played 54 Tests for South Africa between 2014 and 2022, scoring 2,797 runs at an average of 34.53. His record included only one century and 20 fifties, with a highest score of 102 not out. These performances often drew criticism for his struggles to convert good starts into substantial scores.

However, since taking the reins from Dean Elgar in 2023, Bavuma has shown marked improvement with the bat, underlining how the South African captaincy has brought out the best in him, scoring 911 runs at an average of 56.93 across ten matches.

Bavuma scored three centuries and five half-centuries during this period, achieving a highest score of 172, showcasing his impact with the bat and leadership under pressure. As a result, he is one of the most successful captain-batsmen currently playing Test match cricket.