'Someone who's done something that the country has wanted' - Emotional Temba Bavuma reflects on WTC triumph

Temba Bavuma not only registered scores of 36 and 66 in the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia at the Lord's Cricket Ground this week, but he also led South Africa astutely and helped them lift an ICC title after 27 years.

Bavuma also epitomised the never-say-die attitude of South Africans as he batted with a hamstring injury on Day 3 to forge a match-winning 147-run stand with Aiden Markram in the fourth innings. The duo's brilliant partnership went a long way in helping the Proteas chase down a 282-run target against the world-class Australian bowling attack.

After playing a massive role in South Africa's memorable triumph, Bavuma said that giving up is always an option, but the prospect of becoming someone who helped his country achieve something it has strived for a very long time kept him going.

Watch the video below: 

"Giving up is always an option. It's always there at the back of your mind, but something kind of wills you on. For me, it was, it was that moment there to be recognised as more than just a black African cricketer, but to be seen as someone who's done something that the country has wanted. That's something that I'll definitely walk around with, with my chest out. And I hope that it continues to inspire our country," Bavuma said in the post-match press conference.

"I mean, I never pictured myself playing here at Lord's. I could only fantasise about it. That's what really was reachable to us. Being captain, that was never a dream of mine. And now, to have this opportunity now to be in this position where you have won the mace for the country. I don't think you can really write those type of stories," he added.

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The 35-year-old became the first captain to win the WTC mace while remaining unbeaten. Bavuma has led South Africa to nine wins and a draw so far. In the WTC 2023-2025 cycle, the Cape Town-born captained South Africa in eight matches and the Proteas won seven of those matches while drawing one.