From Lords to Langa: Proteas’ Bavuma completes the circle as a world champion

LIKE a Cheshire cat that just had its cream, Vuyo Bavuma looked across at his son Temba in the manner that only the proudest of fathers could.

- ZAAHIER ADAMS.

Here they were together at the Langa Sports Complex in Cape Town, where the arduous journey had begun all those years ago, sitting across from hundreds of children chanting “Temba, Temba Temba” with the ICC's golden mace adorning the table.

The little dreadlocked boy, who had played with grown men in the Cape Town township, which ironically had streets named after Lord’s, MCG, Karachi and Kolkata - all cricket citadels that Temba would go on to grace - had returned to his birthplace as a world champion after leading the Proteas to a sensational World Test Championship final victory over arch-rivals Australia in London last month.

“It's basically the completion of the circle,” said Vuyo.

“This is where he started coming into contact with cricket and is now back to thank people and the success that they have achieved.

“It's also to show that if you put your heart into it, you are going to be rewarded. Hopefully, his presence here is going to encourage lots of kids out there to strive for the best as well.”