Temba Bavuma has built one of the most impressive captaincy records in Test cricket since assuming the role in early 2023. Across 13 Test matches as captain, Bavuma has led South Africa to 11 victories, with one loss against Australia in Durban and one draw against West Indies in Port of Spain.
His win percentage remains among the highest for any active Test captain.
The pinnacle of his tenure arrived when South Africa lifted the ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 under his leadership, a landmark achievement for the team and a defining moment in Bavuma’s career as captain.
What is Bavuma’s batting record as Test captain?
Bavuma has complemented his leadership with consistent run-scoring throughout his captaincy. He has accumulated 1,017 runs as Test captain at an average of 48.42, with three centuries and six fifties to his name in the role. His highest score as Test captain is 172, an innings that underlines his capacity to build match-defining contributions when his side needs them most.
An average of 48.42 across his 13 matches as captain reflects sustained output at the highest level while carrying the additional demands of leading the side. These figures place Bavuma among the more productive batting captains in recent South African Test history, combining reliable run-scoring with the responsibilities of on-field leadership throughout his tenure.
Here is the table summarizing the match results:
|
Result |
Count |
Details / Opponent |
|
Matches |
13 |
Total |
|
Won |
11 |
– |
|
Lost |
1 |
v Australia in Durban |
|
Drawn |
1 |
v West Indies in Port of Spain |
What happened in Bavuma’s first loss as Test captain?
Australia won the 1st Test in Durban by 214 runs to lead the series 1-0. Powered by Matt Renshaw’s 190 and second-innings 82, Australia set South Africa a daunting target after declaring at 314/6.
South Africa were bowled out for 206 despite Aiden Markram’s gritty 75 (237) and Wiaan Mulder’s 29. A crucial 45-run stand between Markram and Marco Jansen (35) offered brief hope, but once broken, South Africa lost their final four wickets for just 5 runs.
Josh Hazlewood triggered the collapse, claiming a career-best 6/49 (his 15th Test five-wicket haul), while Player of the Match Renshaw added 2/39.