Temba Bavuma's never-give-up mantra on batting at Lord's with injury: 'I went against advice from management, willing to deal with consequences'

Temba Bavuma has seen the likes of Hansie Cronje, Shaun Pollock, Graeme Smith, AB de Villiers trip over hurdles to bring home a world title. (AP Photo)Temba Bavuma has seen the likes of Hansie Cronje, Shaun Pollock, Graeme Smith, AB de Villiers trip over hurdles to bring home a world title. When the moment arrived, it must have been truly overwhelming for every South African cricket fan. Even more so if you happened to be at Lord's — the venue where South Africa finally became world champions on Sunday, beating Australia in the World Test Championship Final. Tears overflowed. Former players choked up on air. Their all-time greats celebrated the moment as if it was their own, from the stands to the broadcast centre. Yet, when the camera panned to the balcony, their captain, Temba Bavuma sat with his head buried in his hands.

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For someone who played second fiddle to Aiden Markram in that historic chase and sat back and watched, he watched history being made from the front seat of the Lord's balcony. It was as if Bavuma was oblivious to what was happening around him. Not even when he received the loudest cheers that anyone received on the day, which came after his name was called at the presentation ceremony. Not even lifting the ICC Mace, after overcoming all the adversities, brought out any over-the-top jubilation. Personally, it was a high point too, from being South Africa’s first black captain to now the country’s first-ever major ICC world trophy-winning leader.

“For me, it was that moment there to be recognised more than just a Black African cricketer, but to be seen as someone who's done something that the country has wanted,” he said in the post-match press conference. “So I think that’s something that I'll definitely walk around with my chest out. And again, I can hope that it inspires, it continues to inspire our country.”