Temba Bavuma has become a name etched into cricketing history books after guiding South Africa to their first-ever ICC World Test Championship (WTC) title — and doing so without a single defeat as captain during the championship cycle.

Under Bavuma’s leadership, the Proteas defeated Australia by five wickets at Lord’s, chasing down a challenging 282-run target. It marked the end of South Africa’s 27-year drought in major ICC tournaments, last lifting the Champions Trophy in 1998.

The WTC final was a showcase of resilience and class. Aiden Markram starred with a magnificent 136, while Bavuma, despite suffering a hamstring injury early in the second innings, played a crucial hand with a courageous 66. Their 147-run third-wicket partnership laid the foundation for a historic chase.

Bavuma’s individual performance was just one part of a larger narrative. Across the entire WTC cycle, South Africa played eight matches under his captaincy, winning seven and drawing one. In total, Bavuma has led South Africa in 10 Test matches, with nine wins and one draw, making him the only captain to remain undefeated in WTC history.

Notably, Bavuma has also achieved nine consecutive Test innings scoring 30+ runs, a feat matched by only one other captain in Test history — England’s Ted Dexter.

Australia, despite early breakthroughs on Day 4, failed to regain control. Pat Cummins dismissed Bavuma for 66, and Mitchell Starc followed up with the wicket of Tristan Stubbs. But David Bedingham’s calm 28 not out, along with Markram’s brilliance, helped South Africa reach the target.

The victory also sheds the long-standing “chokers” label often attached to the Proteas. With this result, South Africa has signaled a new era of grit, skill, and leadership in Test cricket — with Bavuma at the forefront.