Great start from Rabada.
Great start from Rabada.
bump
Need another wicket here, Smith is looking dangerous
I KNEW IT
As Markram camer on to bowl, i said to your wife that Smith would lose concentration against him and would present us with a chance.
Temba looks like he's been following the DDD.
Dangerous David's Diet...
Yes man, Smith gone
Fuck this SA batting side is pathetic - 30 for 4
Its why I can’t be asked to watch SA cricket anymore - I watched a bit today but won’t be wasting any more time on this
Markram fails..YET AGAIN!!!
Why is he still there?
He should have be dropped four years ago.
And for heaven's sake, why is he opening the batting?
What he averaging now? I'm sure it's like 32 or something. The DDA of the Proteas.
If he was the DA of cricket he wouid be on a 100 and averaging over 50
Unfortunately he is the Mostert of cricket - all heart and show with no substance
Markram is an enigma - gifted, attractive bat that has disappointed beyond words - Bavuma is similar - Markram averages 35, Bavuma 37 - both below the acceptable 40 but then not a single one of our bats averages over 40
Forget Markram, what the fuck is Mulder doing at 3 - a serial failure at test level shoved into the 3 spot - fucking sums up the coach
Pity they never appealed the one lbw that would have been out. Batting fourth to make a high score, which looks likely, is going to be tough
I was wrong Rickelton averages 41
What is Beddingham still doing in the side he averages 33
"What is Bedingham still doing in the side he averages 33"
Fair question, but he certainly has the pedigree to kick on.
Lets be patient with him.
it's time to blood Brevis and Pretorius in to the system and get rid of the deadwood.
I'm happy to note that they have both been included in the SA team to play Zimbabwe in a 2 test series.
Their time is now.
As for the bowling, Ngidi isnt a bad 3rd seamer... but his current form isn't fantastic. Paterson would certainly have been aa better option in English conditions.
That being said, we did bowl a strong Aussie line up out for under 250 which is remarkable.
Hopefully today is our day. Bavuma and DB need to step up with a big partnership.
Nah Flash Beddingham is already 31 move on
Add Hernan to your list of youngsters to invest in
Stubbs is not a test bat in my opinion
de Zorzi is also not test standard
Dave, I didn't watch yesterday but I'm assuming Wiaan was sent in as nightwatchman...
Time for Bavuma and the rest to fail, leaving Ozzi with a nice 100 run lead to start their second innings.
Bavuma with some West Indian style shots this morning
And Bavuma goes.
LBW...reviewed...
My word he got the faintest of edges on that...I swear, a fairy fart on a bat would make more contact.
I've always wondered if the compressing of air between the bat the ball isn't picked up on the microphone when the ball passes the bat very closely.
Change of mindset by the bats this morning
Far more positive and it’s paying off
It’s one hell of a bowling attack this
Proteas trail by 136.
Bavuma and Bedhead still there with Bavuma taking it to the Ozzies a little.
Bavuma hitting the first 6 of the game.
He's nearing 50 now and it might be the main important one of his life.
He needs to stay calm because since opening up more his play and miss rate has gone up a lot.
"Nah Flash Beddingham is already 31 move on"
Patience dear friend. He's a really good player.
Hope he proves you wrong today.
Good session! LETS GO BOYS.
As predicted, Bavuma fails. Gets a start, can't come from his mindset and then gets out.
Same old same old.
We need to get rid of Bavuma and Markram ASAP
A 70 plus lead on this wicket is absolute gold........
Not a great performance from SA, and any run out in a test match is just unforgiveable
My prediction of a hundred run lead for the Ozzies was only 12 runs short...
LOL
"We need to get rid of Bavuma and Markram ASAP" shows a lot of naivity and "bandwagon supporter syndrome" ...
Temba is an easy target because he is black.
Truth remains, he is by far our most consistent batsman.
Here are his last 13 matches:
His test scores since March 2023:
Since July 2022 Temba averages 51 in 13 tests with 3 hundreds and 5 fifties.
Not a bad average for Bavuma
Ngidi has absolutely no place in this pace attack ......... he is limp on this wicket
"Ngidi has absolutely no place in this pace attack ......... he is limp on this wicket"
And he gets the BIG wicket of Smith next ball!
haha
Still even stevens ATM....Aus slightly ahead.
Getting Carey at the close of play was important. Looks like a 250 or so target in the 4th innings. But these have been such short innings, batting fourth doesn’t have the usual pitch implications….the Proteas have a genuine chance to finally win a big one, but somebody will have to play a substantial innings.
I have to say, one person I’ll never argue with when it comes to cricket, is Flashman.
He very politely put plum in his place by stating simple fact.
i respect flash for always being decent and polite in discussions and this is just another example.
so fuck you david.
Bavuma and Markram are bad apples. They are the senior batters in the team and under them the batting has been an abject failure for far too long.
Markram is complete and utter no-hoper.
Bavuma has scored a mammoth 4 test centuries in a decade of Test cricket. All of those centuries have been in SA and two of those against horrendous opposition.
Nobody put me in my place, Chippo. Unless you believe that my place is agreeing that 4 hundreds is enough over ten years.
The dead batting weight needs to be cut from this team. It should have been cut yonks ago.
...and just to go a little deeper on why Bavuma has never convinced me. Today was a perfect example. The idea was right - Settle in and then take it to the Ozzies a bit and let them panic as their small total looks smaller and smaller after every 5 overs that go by. But you need to be able to execute. I watched Bavuma and he was fine when he was trying to block tears of boredom out of the crowd. But the moment he tried to up the scoring rate he immediately played and missed far too many times. It was just a matter of time until he got out. The right idea, the right moment to execute it, but simply not enough skill and talent to execute.
It's got absolutely zero to do with him being black.
Well done Ngidi, you certainly proved me wrong
Those wickets he got were absolutely vital, in fact, because of his spell with those wickets at that time, we actually have a chance to win this, but it will be a bloody hard chase....
Very glad to be proven wrong
Let's hope the Ozzie tale doesn't wag and that the target is sub 250.
If it turns out that way I would simply tell the batters that they have 50 overs to go out and chase those runs.
Any idea if trying to get there at test pace will flop. Apparently nobody can bat properly on this pitch, so why try?
Go out, free the hands, and bliksim the ball.
Must say, quite a lot of people are complaining that this wicket is not the best example or condusive to play the test final on, and it's easy to understand why, given how so many wickets have already fallen.
I don't buy that, I get that most of the batsmen on either side are test cricket shy playing on foreign soil and facing the unfamiliar Duke ball.
It's a result wicket, the bowler gets a lot out of it if he gets his length and line right(Ngidi is a fair example of a tale of two innings) whereas the batters like Steve Smith for example works hard at shot selection.
Oh well just my opinion.
Fair point, provided the game is not over in 2 - 3 days
When you get 14 wickets on the 1st day and 14 wickets again on the 2nd day, that is not a great advertisement of a decent wicket
Crazy stat
Most no-balls in Tests since October 2024
57 - Kagiso Rabada
24 - Jasprit Bumrah
20 - Gus Atkinson
19 - Marco Jansen
18 - Wiaan Mulder
17 - Dane Paterson
These Aussie tailenders are really being stubborn and could be the difference in this game, especially that 61 run partnership between Carey and Starc yesterday
To think that they were 28/ 0 and then 77/7... and now 175/9
Ozzie with a lead of 253...
Oh well...
Markram will fail yet again.
Bavuma will hang around and then get out for 20'odd
I'm picking Rickleton to get 50 something and the Proteas to lose by 80-100.
Anybody else have some predictions?
Lol anybody even gonna bother watching the run chase?
The wicket has changed, looks as flat as a pancake it will be interesting to see how the Oz pace goes on it.
Pretty much chalk and cheese from the first 2 days this could favor the Proteas.
"Lol anybody even gonna bother watching the run chase?"
YES.
Yes
Yip!
Yes. I think we've got this. 47-1 as I type but the pitch is a lot more batsman friendly.
Come on Proteas.
Many people saying now just how different this pitch is compared to the last two days, and it's clear as day.
If Starc can get his 50 off over 100 balls, then that is a very clear indication that the wicket is far more batsman friendly today, so now it's just down to putting the patience in to protect your wicket and put away the bad balls.
SA should have this game in these current conditions, and especially with two days remaining... this is definitely their's to lose.
Immense pressure...75-2.
"Yes. I think we've got this. 47-1 as I type but the pitch is a lot more batsman friendly."
Hope that wasn't the kiss of death.
110-2
Bavuma playing with a hammy...
My word...Markram is staying at the crease.
If he can us close I'll all the humble pie...
122-2. 160 needed
135-2....147 needed
"We need to get rid of Bavuma and Markram ASAP"
There's your kiss of death.
LMAO!
141-2 141 needed...halfway...
154-2....128 to go!
Markram 71, Bavuma 40
160-2
Aus starting to defend runs...
184-2...98 required!!!...common guys!!!....
194-2
Markram gets his century.
Make it count Aiden!
Tread carefully Rooi...
I'm loving the body language of the Aussies. They know they've blown this one.
This is done and dusted. Not even the Jinx gods can change this result.
212- 70 to go
Markram gets a 100!
I shall have my humble pie!!!
Only 60 odd to win now
Stumps on 213-2....big day tomorrow!
My cup runneth over ... almost
Carefully optimistic...weather is k@k môre...rain over night and overcast in the morning.
"Stumps on 213-3....big day tomorrow!"
Don't worry, Squeaky Toy has just had one dop too many. It's 213/2.
No dop Rudehole, thick fingers and old eyes...error corrected.
The South Africa captain talks about street cricket in Langa, adapting to new schools after a scholarship and why playing at Lord’s means so much
Sat 7 Jun 2025 08.00 BST
“There was always some sort of allegiance with Lord’s when we were growing up in Langa,” Temba Bavuma says of his childhood as a township boy living just outside Cape Town. Bavuma, the first black cricketer to captain South Africa, will lead his country against Australia in the World Test Championship final, which begins at Lord’s on Wednesday.
In the quintessentially English surroundings of Arundel, the 5ft 3in Bavuma looks as if he has gone back to being a kid in the dusty townships. “In Langa we had a four-way street,” he says, his face crinkling with the memories. “On the right-hand side of the street the tar wasn’t done so nicely and we used to call it Karachi because the ball would bounce funny. The other side was the MCG [Melbourne Cricket Ground] but my favourite section of the street was clean, and done up nicely, and we called it Lord’s because it just looked better. So, as a kid of 10, I already had that dream of playing at Lord’s.”
Why neutrals should back South Africa against Australia in WTC final
Bavuma is 35 and he has long carried a burden of responsibility. In 2017 he was the first black South African to be chosen as a Test batter and, six years later, he became even more of a pioneer when appointed captain. He has won eight and drawn one of his nine Tests leading the Proteas. He will soon discuss the odds South Africa have overcome to reach the Test final, ahead of the economic powerhouses India and England, but we linger over the lessons of Langa.
The sidestreet nicknamed the MCG was favoured by the older boys. “I’d be playing against 15-year-olds who preferred it because it had a downhill, which helped them when bowling fast. That’s where my competitiveness comes from. Even at 12, you have to front up to the older guys. They’re not going to bowl any slower, or give you half-volleys, just because you’re younger.”
Danger, steeped in South African township life, loomed over those innocent games of cricket. People were murdered in Langa but, as Bavuma says, “during the day it was OK. It was more at night where all the action happened – if we can call it that. But Langa is rich in its sporting culture and it gave us that space where we found respect and support from the community.”
When he was “around 10” his prodigious talent meant he was offered a scholarship at SACS, one of South Africa’s most privileged white schools. “It was tough integrating within the system, learning and understanding the [white] culture,” Bavuma says, “but it helped that I came in as a cricketer. In terms of making friends, it was a bit easier. But I had to learn about discipline and etiquette, which are such big things in that culture.
Temba Bavuma with Ryan Rickelton. ‘That so-called inexperience from our side can also be a strength,’ he says. Photograph: Matthew Lewis/ICC/Getty Images
“I also had to learn confidence. Can you imagine taking a child from the township into a system where, basically, everything is there. There were always doubts. Am I good enough to be here? Do I deserve this opportunity? I always felt the need to prove myself.”
Bavuma recalls being one of only three black boys at primary school and he would commute every day from Langa to the plush streets in the hushed shadow of Table Mountain. “As a kid you are quite ignorant,” he says when describing the jolting contrast. “You see things but it’s very hard for you to comprehend – even if the disparity is quite obvious. It would really hit me when SACS played against Langa. At that time Langa was strong in cricket and I would be playing against my friends that I grew up with in the township.
“I would be a SACS boy who’d been there two years. By then you know how to conduct yourself at lunch. You’re not going to dish up a big plate whereas my friends from Langa would have huge plates. We’d laugh about it but, when you think about it, the Langa boy would be wondering when is he going to get another opportunity to eat food like that?”
When his family moved to Johannesburg, Bavuma transferred to another prestigious school, St David’s, which has recently named its cricket ground after him. “By the time I went to St David’s I was one of the boys. I understood the whole culture and I was fluent and confident in English and my studies. But it took time.”
It also took Bavuma time to master Test cricket. He was the first black South African to hit a Test hundred, against England in January 2016. Seven years and two months passed before he finally reached his second Test century – 172 against West Indies in March 2023. The key difference was Bavuma had just become South Africa’s captain. In that role he has an average of 57.78 with the bat – after seven 50s and three hundreds. Before the captaincy his average was 34.53.
“You obviously grow in confidence,” he says of the improvement. “The added responsibility as well, getting pushed up the order, is something I thrived on. But most of all I just understand my game and I don’t try playing like anyone else.”
Bavuma celebrates his century at Cape Town in 2016, becoming the first black South African to make a Test hundred. Photograph: Gianluigi Guercia/AFP/Getty Images
Michael Vaughan and others have questioned South Africa’s presence at Lord’s – with the former England captain suggesting that Bavuma’s men face Australia “on the back of beating pretty much nobody” and “don’t warrant being in the World Test Championship final”. This sidesteps the inequalities that mean South Africa have played the fewest Tests in this current cycle.
Without the injured Bavuma they sent a skeleton squad to New Zealand, and effectively surrendered that series, as key players were required to play in a domestic Twenty20 competition that brought in desperately needed funds. They needed to win their last seven Tests in a row – beating West Indies away, sweeping a two-match series in Bangladesh and then winning four Tests at home against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
South Africa looked imperious apart from the second innings of the first Test against Pakistan at Centurion. Chasing a modest 148 on a challenging wicket, Bavuma was top scorer with 40 but walked after thinking he had been caught. Back in the pavilion replays showed that he was not out. The Proteas collapsed to 99 for eight and it needed a nervy 51-run partnership between Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen to edge them to victory.
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We can’t compete from an economic point of view. The only way we can compete is on the field
It was the second time that Bavuma had walked at Centurion. “I thought I’d nicked the ball,” he shrugs. “I didn’t even refer it because maybe there was embarrassment at the shot I played. It was also instinct to just walk. I thought the bowler had gotten the better of me and I’d given away my wicket.”
Bavuma spent much of the ensuing run chase in the toilets: “I was locked in the bathroom, sulking at the shot that I played but also hearing the wickets falling. I was taking a lot of blame as it was a critical situation for the team. As the leader I wanted to take the guys over the line so I was dealing with lots of emotions. But I kept hearing the cheers and saw that KG [Rabada] and Jansen weren’t in the changing room. When I peeked out, they were still battling and we needed just 15 runs.”
South Africa then won their final match against Pakistan at Newlands by a crushing 10 wickets after Bavuma hit a century. Have the Proteas made a defiant statement by reaching Lord’s at a time when Test cricket is slanted against teams outside the big three? “Yes, definitely. We want to continue staking a claim as one of the top cricketing nations but we can’t compete from an economic point of view. The only way we can compete is on the field. Obviously we would love to go the whole way and win because for us to be seen as an attractive nation we’ve got to keep being competitive.”
If South Africa defy expectations, would becoming Test champions be the most significant achievement in their cricket history for, despite coming close in World Cups, they have blown past opportunities? “I believe so. We shouldn’t forget that Graeme Smith’s team were World No 1 in 2012 but there wasn’t a Test championship then. In the last couple of years we have been knocking on the door. We get into finals, semi-finals and we’ve been relentless in pursuing something that’s been elusive to us – which is silverware. We’re going to keep knocking on the door and, at some point, it has to open.”
Bavuma acknowledges the size of his team’s task against the much more experienced Australians. Batting against their formidable attack means that there is little respite. “That’s always the hardest thing about playing against Australia. It’s no different now facing [Pat] Cummins, [Josh] Hazlewood and [Mitchell] Starc. You need to be on top of your game against those guys.”
When I interviewed Bavuma previously he admitted that he struggled more against Cummins, his captaincy counterpart, than any other bowler. “Yes, he’s relentless,” he says now. “He’s on that length and keeps coming at you. He’s very, very competitive.”
Bavuma made a half century in a friendly at Arundel last week, having not played a Test since January. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian
In his most recent Test innings, Bavuma scored 106 against Pakistan in January but over the past 18 months he has struggled with elbow and hamstring injuries. He insists he feels fit again, and scored an unbeaten 58 against Zimbabwe in a rain-affected friendly in Arundel last week, but concedes that the vast knowhow and depth of Australia will test his young team.
“When you assess their strengths, that experience is obvious. They’ve also played a lot and been successful in English conditions. Some of our guys still need to go through that. But that so-called inexperience from our side can also be a strength. The biggest thing with our guys is not to burden them with anything and keep encouraging them to have confidence in the way we’ve been doing things.”
Bavuma regards the last time that South Africa played Australia, in a series defeat in 2022-23, “as a turning point in my career. That tour was tough for the team. Personally, I managed to get runs but it was inconsequential. I’ve always been confident in terms of absorbing pressure, but that series made me understand that it’s important that you exert pressure and how you go about that. I realised it was a lot about fronting up.”
He was made Test captain after that humbling loss to Australia and his influence and his stature has grown considerably since then. But the responsibility bearing down on Bavuma, the little pioneer, is more intense than ever. “It doesn’t get easier,” he says wryly. “People keep pushing those levels of expectations and you’ve got to find a way to get mentally stronger. But I’m doing that and I’m still enjoying the game.”
In his only other Test at Lord’s, in 2017, Bavuma scored 59 in the first innings but England won by 211 runs. “My memories are not good from the team’s perspective as Moeen Ali bowled us out in the second innings. But this game against Australia at Lord’s is different. Remembering all that Lord’s meant to us in Langa, this is definitely one for me to enjoy and to embrace. It will be a highlight of my career.”
Like Siya Kolisi, Temba Bavuma picks up a lot of flak for just being black. Both are solid gold in my opinion.
After 30 years the impossible is now the likely. The Aussie fast bowlers extracted nothing out of this dead pitch and Bavuma and Markram batted brilliantly. During the Aussie last wicket stand our odds were getting worse and better at the same time.
The Aussies’ inexplicable batting collapse yesterday made this possible. And the lack of variety in an attack which was hampered by a very flat wicket. What price a Shane Warne?
It’s not done, but if we don’t win now it we might as well stop competing. Kudos to Bedingham, Rabada, Bavuma and Markram who made the key contributions to bring us to this point. If we look back on our history of superstars AB, Kallis, Amla, Steyn we have always had the talent. Finally today we had the grit.
I’m so glad I recorded the days play. What a batting display but it would not be test cricket without a few more twists come on boys
A shower in places this morning; otherwise, mostly sunny, breezy and warm Hi: 24°
"Like Siya Kolisi, Temba Bavuma picks up a lot of flak for just being black. Both are solid gold in my opinion."
What utter nonsense...both are deserved test players but both are captains, not because they are the best candidates, but because of the colour of their skins...sad that their legacy should be tainted by a sick racist ANC policy...destroying not only sport, but every sector of our once great country...Mandela must be turning in his grave...Vlagman was right, Cyril is even worse than Zuma.
Enjoy every second of the game while you can, this is a special moment, one that some of us have been waiting for, for a very long time.
A new chapter in Protea cricket has commenced.
Bavuma goes in the 3rd over of the day.
...65 to get with 7 in-hand.
Is this the collapse?
Fck Plum...hope not...this is so close!
60
Double Nelson
59
58
Markram on Nelson
57
55
50
"Is this the collapse?"
ButtPlug still hoping he can avoid egg all over his face even if it means the Proteas losing.
Come on boys!
49
47
Nah, Rooi...I'd much rather they win.
But all my life the Proteas have choked.
So, excuse me if I'm apprehensive.
46
45
44
42...the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything...
41
Aussies losing reviews. Only 1 left.
No review needed there. Stubbs gone.
Stubs' best 8 runs he ever played, but he's gone!
40
Nervous stuff!!!
Geduld manne.
39
36
35
What a stupid waste of the last review!
34
33
32
31
30
27
26
25
4 overs to the new ball...
24
23
19
18
17
Easy does it, no rush...bring it home boys.
16
15
14
New ball taken.
Ek lag hulle boul 'n paar viere.
10 needed ...Markram to 133
7
6
Damn!!! Markram out!...136
Trane, but he got us close enough to get over the line.
5
Easily Markram's best innings and probably the most important innings in Protea history.
Game is in the bag.
Excellent work.
Hopefully the first of many more trophies!
4
3
2
Level...1 to win.
Who would have thought!....@ long last!
Take a bow Aiden Markram. One of the all time great innings by a South African.
In a low-scoring game, in arguably the most inmportant test match SA have ever played and against the best bowling attack in the world.
Just brilliant!
Well done Proteas!!!
Awesome boys
Markram batted like the talent that he is
Bavuma the same but he has for a while now
The last time I sw Markham bating li.ke this was in 2014 in teh Under 19 WC. I gave up on him yeas ago - but now say well don - you did SA proud,
Congrats to the Proteas for ining in the final.
Over the past 30 odd years I have not missed many Protea matches.
I have never missed a knockout game or an important game.
I’ve seen us bomb out inexplicably.
not today…
today we stood toe to toe and exchanged jabs. Until we landed the knockout punch at the home of cricket.
To Say that I am proud, is an understatement.
i have seen better Protea teams lose.
But today we showed character, determination, focus and inner confidence against a really good Aussie team.
Today, we are World Test Champions of the world.
I am so flipping proud of Temba and his team.
"I am so flipping proud of Temba and his team."
Likewise . . . but I don't think everyone agrees with us.
"We need to get rid of Bavuma and Markram ASAP"
LMAO!
Rooi
theyre called “bandwagon supporters”
Yes. Buttplug was squawking about the collapse having started when Bavuma was dismissed early in the session :)
For me, I'm, not sure if it's elation or just relief that we've finally won a major trophy.
Now that we have that monkey off our back at last I hope we can start winning more ICC titles!
Proteas!
So I guess you guys are of the opinion that 4 centuries 110 innings is great.
lol Themba and Markram average mid thirties.
The simple fact is that bowling has been carrying this side.
Plium, you're a fool
"Themba and Markram average mid thirties."
"The simple fact is that bowling has been carrying this side."
"So I guess you guys are of the opinion that 4 centuries 110 innings is great."
Keep stirring the pot, you fountain of knowledge!
I'm not stirring anything, Dippo.
For some years I've been of the opinion that Markram and Bavuma are bad apples and not good enough.
They're simply not good enough. Today they were but that's a complete rarity. Great the 8 years of confidence shown in Bavuma has finally paid he's finally gotten runs lately. And now he's close to retirement age.
I'm happy they won. Just because I don't think they're good enough doesn't mean I don't want them to do well.
The point about the bowling is that while it carries the side, the batting failures are less noticeable. If the bowling was as bad as the batting, wholesale changes would have occurred ages ago.
Does that answer your question.
Also, Kyle needs to hit his steals soon because he's barely reading water at this point.
Bavuma averages well over 50 in the past two years or so which is what counts currently
Markram has always been a gifted bat that was a serial underachiever
But his pedigree kicked in when it mattered the most and thankfully that is what he will be remembered for
Tonight: Mainly clear 
2,908 posts
Just under a year out from making their first-ever ICC World Cup final, the Proteas have another chance at history when they take on Australia in the World Test Championship Final at Lord’s.
Their opponents are Australia – a country with a rich history of winning big finals. Their record has been outstanding.
Watch the WTC Final live right here