Temba Bavuma says South Africa have their own fire for Australia this time
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma believes Australia remain one of the toughest opponents in Test cricket, even if the character of the team has changed over the last few years. The Proteas will begin their three-match series against Australia on October 9 at Kingsmead in Durban, with both teams currently occupying the top two places in the World Test Championship standings.
For Bavuma, however, playing Australia is about more than facing a group of individual cricketers. The rivalry itself brings out an added competitive edge, something he expects to be evident when the first Test begins on Friday. In their last bilateral series, South Africa lost 0-2 in Australia in 2022-23 and will be looking for a better showing this time.
“When you play against Australia, you don’t just play against those individuals, you play against what it means to be Australian,” Bavuma said in an interview with Cricinfo. “It’s always a clash we look forward to. It tends to at least bring out the competitive edge of both teams. We have a strong desire to get the better of them.”
“They’re not as in-your-face. They still play their cricket hard. They’ve still got guys like Travis Head at the top, who look to put you under pressure. And then they still have that quartet of a bowling attack always putting you under pressure. But they’re probably not as brash and in your face as if I think of 2016, when we toured Australia. They made you feel uncomfortable.”
“From a cricketing point of view, they haven’t lost a great deal. It’s still as tough as the Australia that we know.”
SOUTH AFRICA BRIMMING WITH CONFIDENCE
Bavuma feels the biggest change is not necessarily in Australia, but in South Africa. The Proteas have developed a stronger identity and greater belief after a run of impressive results, including their historic Test series win in India and their World Test Championship triumph over Australia at Lord’s last year.
That success has also given South Africa the confidence to respond to Australia’s intensity rather than simply absorb it. The Proteas captain believes his side now has its own voice and is comfortable engaging in the competitive banter that has traditionally been associated with Australia.
“South Africans also have a character of their own. We’re also not scared to throw a couple of chirps and we’ll be part of the banter. You don’t really want to lose that. That’s just part of the spectacle, as long as it’s all above board. You look forward to it,” Bavuma said.
The series will also test South Africa’s depth immediately. Kagiso Rabada has been ruled out of the Durban opener as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury, while Anrich Nortje returns to Test cricket for the first time since March 2023. South Africa have also selected two spinners, Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer, for the opening Test.
A NEW TEST CHALLENGE
The October 9 opener is particularly significant for South Africa, who are playing their first home Test since becoming world champions. Bavuma wants the occasion to be celebrated with the home supporters, but knows the priority will be winning against an Australian side still chasing points in a crucial WTC cycle.
Australia are also set to play their first Test series in South Africa since the infamous Sandpaper scandal in 2018, which unfolded during the Newlands Test in Cape Town. The Proteas have a chance to move to No. 1 in the WTC points table if they beat Australia in the series.
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