Temba Bavuma Debut, Biography, Stats, Net Worth, Wife, IPL Team, Records, Career

Temba Bavuma is a right-handed top-order batsman who plays for South Africa. He is 35 years old. He is from Cape Town. He is the captain of South Africa in all formats. He was the first black African cricketer to score a Test century for South Africa. He later became the first permanent black African captain of the South African team. That is no small feat. It is historic. He has scored 3,810 Test runs in 66 matches. He led South Africa to their first Test series win in India in 2025 for the first time in 25 years. He led South Africa to success in the World Test Championship. South Africa had waited decades for ICC silverware. Bavuma got them there. He came from Langa Township in Cape Town, became the captain of his country. The whole story is there.

Early Life and Biography

Temba Bavuma was born on May 17, 1990, in Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa. He is now 35 years old. He grew up in the Langa township of Cape Town. Langa is not where most South African Test cricketers come from. Most come from privileged backgrounds, with established cricket schools and well-resourced clubs. Bavuma came from somewhere different, which made him work harder. He bats right-handed. He sometimes bowls right-arm medium but no one likes him for that. He bats and leads. He came through South Africa’s age-group cricket and represented South Africa Under-19 and South Africa A before being called up to the senior team. He also played for Gauteng in domestic first-class cricket and played English county cricket with Northamptonshire. He patiently built his game over several seasons before international cricket gave him a chance.

Domestic and International Debut

Bavuma has played domestic cricket for Gauteng and has represented the Lions, Cape Cobras, Jozi Stars, Durban Heat and Sunrisers Eastern Cape in various South African franchise competitions. He plays for Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the SA20 League. He has played leadership roles in domestic and franchise cricket that have prepared him for international captaincy.

He made his Test debut for South Africa against the West Indies at St George’s Park, Gwekeberha on 26 December 2014. He made his ODI debut against Ireland in Benoni on 25 September 2016. He made his T20I debut against India in Mohali on 18 September 2019. He made his Test debut, making his mark there after the shorter format. A player who first makes his Test debut and then earns white-ball caps has a tough job. Bavuma has done a difficult job throughout his career.

Biography Details

Field	Details
Full Name	Temba Bavuma
Date of Birth	17 May 1990
Age	35 years (as of 2026)
Birthplace	Cape Town, Cape Province, South Africa
Nationality	South African
Role	Middle-order batter; Captain of South Africa
Batting Style	Right-handed bat
Bowling Style	Right-arm medium
Domestic/Franchise Teams	Gauteng, Lions, Cape Cobras, Durban Heat, Northamptonshire, Jozi Stars, Sunrisers Eastern Cape, South Africa A & Invitational sides
International Team	South Africa national cricket team (Tests, ODIs & T20Is since 2014)
Marital Status	Married
Wife	Phila Lobi Bavuma (married August 2018)
Net Worth	Approx. ₹40 – 80 crore (USD 5 – 10 million)

Career Batting, Bowling & Fielding Stats

Batting Stats (Right-Handed Batsman)

Format	Span	M	Inn	NO	Runs	HS	Avg	BF	SR	100s	50s	4s	6s
Test	2014–	66	114	14	3810	172	38.1	7794	48.9	4	26	434	16
ODI	2016–	55	53	5	2035	144	42.4	2320	87.7	5	8	203	27
T20I	2019–23	36	35	4	670	72	21.6	567	118.2	0	1	62	16

Bowling Stats (Right-Arm Medium Bowler)

Format	Span	M	Inn	Balls	Mdn	Runs	Wkts	BB	Econ	Avg	SR	4W	5W
Test	2014–	66	5	96	1	61	1	1/29	3.81	61.0	96.0	0	0
ODI	2016–	55	1	37	0	22	0	0/22	3.57	–	–	0	0
T20I	2019–23	36	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–

Fielding Stats

Format	Span	Catches	Run Outs
Test	2014–	32	9
ODI	2016–	31	1
T20I	2019–23	15	4

Career

Bavuma has played 66 Tests and scored around 3,810 runs at an average of 38.1 with a highest score of 172. He has played 55 ODIs and scored around 2,035 runs at an average of 42.39 with a highest score of 144. He became the oldest South African batsman to complete 2,000 ODI runs during the 2025 India series. He has played 36 T20s and scored around 670 runs. He has been South Africa’s Test and ODI captain since 2021. He has an impressive unbeaten leadership record as a Test captain. He led South Africa to their first Test series win in India in 25 years in 2025. He led South Africa to World Test Championship success. South Africa’s coaches have praised him as one of the best batsmen in the world. His early career was inconsistent but he regained his form strongly from 2023, and he hasn’t looked back since.

IPL Career and Teams

Bavuma’s franchise involvement has been mainly in the South African league. He plays for Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the SA20 league. He has played in other T20 leagues from time to time but the IPL has not been a major part of his career. His focus has been on representing South Africa and leading his country rather than pursuing franchise opportunities globally. Some captains prefer country over league. Bavuma is one of them.

Playing Style and Strengths

Bavuma is a right-handed top-order batsman known for his technique, composure and ability to build long innings. He is particularly strong in Tests and ODIs where patience is valued. He builds methodical innings. He does not give away his wickets cheaply. He fights for every run and every session. He sometimes bowls right-arm medium pace but uses it with great restraint. His batting and leadership define him. He is an agile fielder who makes reliable contributions to the fielding. His composure under pressure is what the South African coaching staff appreciates the most. He bats with clarity, leads with strategy.

Records and Achievements

Bavuma was the first black African cricketer to score a Test century for South Africa. He scored an unbeaten 102 against England in January 2016. He later became the first permanent black African captain of the South African national team. He led South Africa to their first Test series win in India in 25 years in 2025. He led South Africa to success in the World Test Championship and ended South Africa’s decades without ICC silverware. He became the oldest South African batsman to complete 2,000 ODI runs during the 2025 India series. He has 3,810 Test runs to his name in 66 matches. His highest Test score is 172.

Net Worth and Earnings

Bavuma earns from his Cricket South Africa Central contract, Test, One Day and T20 International match fees and his SA20 franchise agreement with Sunrisers Eastern Cape. Official figures for his net worth are not disclosed. Media and cricket financial estimates vary, which are unofficial. He is the captain of South Africa in all formats and earns accordingly. His value to South African cricket is greater than any number.

Wife and Personal Life

Bavuma married Phila Lobi on August 26, 2018. He was 28 years old at the time. He does not talk much about his personal life in the media. He keeps his family life private, separate from his public role as South Africa captain. He is a private man who leads a public team. The discipline he brings to his batting sets him apart.

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