From the same street in Langa, a township outside Cape Town, came Temba Bavuma. Bavuma is a specialist batsman and the first black African batsman picked in South Africa’s Test squad.
Without the advantage of height or power, Bavuma’s game is built on finesse and patience and has been since he moved up country for secondary school at St David’s Marist College in northern Johannesburg. Bavuma combined playing for his school with a commitment to Soweto Cricket Club, where he was mentored by Geoffrey Toyana from a young age.
At 18, he made his first-class debut for Gauteng and three seasons later was playing in the franchise team, Lions. His sound technique, particularly off the back foot, helped him average over 45 in his second summer and he also demonstrated a temperament beyond his years. Bavuma established himself as part of the Lions leadership group, and was named their vice-captain in 2013-14.
Bavuma played for South Africa A after finishing as the fifth-highest run-scorer in the 2012-13 season and followed that up by ending sixth in 2013-14. He was called up to the Test squad to play West Indies at the end of 2014.
