South Africa captain Temba Bavuma showcased immense grit and determination on Day 3 of the World Test Championship Final 2025 at Lord’s, as his team faced a tough decision mid-innings, whether their skipper should retire hurt due to a visible hamstring strain or continue battling through the pain in one of the biggest matches of his career.
Bavuma, who came into the match under pressure following a dip in form and ongoing fitness concerns, suffered what appeared to be a hamstring injury during the tense chase against Australia. South Africa’s medical staff and think tank were put in a spot as the captain was clearly in discomfort, hobbling between the wickets and grimacing after most deliveries.
Despite the growing concern, the management allowed Bavuma to continue, a decision that required careful balancing of risk and reward. With the WTC mace in sight and Bavuma batting fluently despite the injury, the Proteas leadership opted to back their man to stay and finish the job.
Bavuma stitched together a critical 143-run partnership with Aiden Markram, anchoring South Africa’s innings with a resilient 65* by stumps. His knock wasn’t just about the runs, it was about presence, leadership, and calm under fire. The visuals of him soldiering on with a strapped thigh and visible limp quickly became symbolic of South Africa’s doggedness in the match.
Earlier in the build-up to the final, Bavuma had termed the WTC Final as the “pinnacle of his Test career”, acknowledging how much it meant not just for him but for South African cricket at large. With the likes of Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen wreaking havoc with the ball, it was the captain’s gritty stand with the bat that held equal weight in their push for a historic triumph.
The South African dugout, visibly nervous during Bavuma’s innings, reportedly debated the option of sending in a substitute if the injury worsened. But the skipper reassured them and insisted on staying out unless medically forced to leave.
As the Proteas inch closer to a maiden ICC Test crown, Bavuma’s innings, not the most fluent but arguably the most inspirational, will be etched in the memories of fans. In an era where physical strain often sees quick replacements, Bavuma chose the harder route: enduring pain for national pride.
With concerns still hovering over his hamstring, South Africa’s medical team will reassess Bavuma ahead of the fourth day.
