South Africans have a tendency to place World Cup-winning captains on the highest of pedestals.
Francois Pienaar, John Smit, and of course, Siya Kolisi. Hollywood blockbuster movies, and award-winning documentaries, have followed them.
No South African cricket captain has ever come close to emulating their oval-ball counterparts though.
Temba Bavuma is the latest in the queue to attempt the almost impossible when he leads the Proteas in their clash against African neighbours Zimbabwe in their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup opener in Hobart on Monday.
But like others before him Bavuma is needing to fend off the vultures at home before even tackling the opposition.
South Africans prefer to hold World Cup-winning captains in the greatest regard.
Francois Pienaar, John Smit, and Siya Kolisi, naturally. They were followed by Hollywood blockbusters and award-winning documentaries.
However, no South African round-ball captain has ever come close to replicating their cricket counterparts.
Temba Bavuma is the latest to attempt the near-impossible as he leads the Proteas against Zimbabwe in the opening match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on Monday in Hobart.
However, like those who came before him, Bavuma must fend off the vultures at home before engaging the competition.
Every second of every waking day, Bavuma’s status in the South African Twenty20 team is questioned, let alone his leadership. Similar to load shedding, it is the topic of conversation at every braai and in every pub and shebeen across the nation.
The argument against Bavuma is that he is inadequate as an opening hitter in 20-over international cricket. It is believed that his range of shots against the new ball is insufficient, as is his hitting power.
This is confirmed by the fact that none of the six independently-owned SA20 franchisees took him up.
The argument has some merit. Due to a combination of injuries and illness, Bavuma has participated in only seven of South Africa’s fourteen T20s since the World Cup in the UAE last year. Those seven matches were all against India on the road.
A high score of 35 and a total of 64 runs with an average of 10.66 simply adds fuel to the fire.
However, there is a great deal more to Bavuma’s position on the team than his statistics. The significance of his position as captain cannot be overstated. In selecting sports teams, sentiment has no place, but Bavuma’s perspective encompasses a great deal more.
Before he ascended to the throne of white-ball cricket, South Africa had lost five consecutive T20 International series. Since then, they have won five of their last seven games, and while he was absent due to injury for their victory in England and Ireland, the blueprint and plan he helped build was visible.
Bavuma is a tremendously motivated person who has always had to strive for his position in the sun. And he is aware that this is only the first of seven rounds at the Bellerive Oval.
“I am conscious of the conversations taking place in my thoughts regarding my game and how I intend to lead the team. I am unaware of what is occurring outside of what has been discussed with the team.
“I don’t believe that the element of pressure is particularly unique to me as a player and sportsman. I believe that all players must deal with this pressure. Yes, it exists in various forms.
“As captain, it’s obviously much more blown up. All eyes are on you. There is significantly more criticism regarding your performances and leadership qualities.
“As I previously stated, it goes without saying that with the position of captain comes responsibility, and it’s not something that one can avoid. As a result, I will respond to the strain that I am under with as much integrity and thankfulness as possible.”
Bavuma is supported by his team, the departing coach Mark Boucher, and the selection committee led by Victor Mpitsang.
Bavuma can therefore confidently stride into battle despite Reeza Hendricks’ push for inclusion based on sheer run volume.
“From the perspective of the squad, there won’t be any surprises, at least for the players on the team. We understand what we will do. We are aware of the strategy we will employ. And we are all totally at ease with all of that. This is my primary emphasis. The guys on this team are centered on this objective. Anything else, I suppose, is for other ears,” he said.
Every moment of every waking day Bavuma finds his position – let alone leadership – in the South Africa’s T20 team questioned. Much like load shedding, it is the hot topic around every braai and in every pub and shebeen around the country.
The case against Bavuma is that he does not cut it as an opening batter in international 20-over cricket. That his range of shots against the new ball is said to be inadequate, as is the ferocity with which he hits it.
This is supported by the fact that he was not picked up by anyone of the six independently-owned SA20 franchises.
The debate is not without merit. Due to a combination of injury and illness Bavuma has played just seven – all against India away – of South Africa’s 14 T20’s since last year’s World Cup in the UAE.
A top score of 35 and a cumulative total of 64 runs at an average of 10.66 only fuels the fire even more.
However, there is much more to Bavuma’s place in the team than those numbers. He is the captain and his importance in that role cannot be underestimated. There can be no room for sentiment in selecting sporting teams but Bavuma’s position embraces a great deal more.
Prior to his elevation to the white-ball throne South Africa had lost five successive T20 International series. Since then they have won five from seven, and while he may have been absent through injury for the victories in England and Ireland, the blueprint and strategy that he helped develop was clearly evident.
Bavuma is also a fiercely determined individual that has always had to fight for his place in the sun. And he knows it’s only Round 1 of hopefully seven at the Bellerive Oval.
“I’m aware of the conversations happening in my head regarding my game, regarding how I’m going to go about leading the team. I’m not aware of what’s happening outside of what’s been spoken about or discussed with the team.
“I think the element of pressure, I think that’s something that’s not really unique to me as a player, as a sportsman. I think all players have to deal with that pressure. Yes, it comes in different forms.
“Obviously being the captain, it’s a lot more blown up. All eyes are on you. There’s a lot more critique regarding your performances and just how you are as a leader.
“Obviously, like I said, with the title of being captain comes that responsibility, and it’s not something that one can really shy away from. So with all the, like I say, the pressure that is upon me, I’ll face up to it as honourably and with as much gratitude as I can.”
Bavuma certainly has the backing of his team, of the outgoing coach Mark Boucher and of the selection panel headed by Victor Mpitsang.
And therefore, despite Reeza Hendricks’ push for inclusion on sheer weight of runs, Bavuma can confidently stride into battle.
“In terms of the team, there won’t be any surprises from that point of view, at least for the guys here in the team. We know what we’re going to do. We know how we’re going to do it. And we’re all quite comfortable around all of that. That’s where my focus is. That’s where the focus is with the guys that are here on the team. Anything else, that’s for other ears, I guess,” he said.
LIKELY TEAMS FOR HOBART
South Africa: Temba Bavuma (capt), Quinton de Kock (wk), Rilee Rossouw, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Wayne Parnell, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje/Tabraiz Shamsi.
Zimbabwe: Regis Chakabva, Craig Ervine (capt), Wessly Madhevere, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Milton Shumba, Ryan Burl, Luke Jongwe, Richard Ngarava, Tendai Chatara, Blessing Muzarabani
Start: 10am (SA time) TV: SuperSport