South Africa’s Test and ODI captain, Temba Bavuma, finally broke his silence on retirement talks amid the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 actions in India and Sri Lanka. Temba Bavuma has made it clear that he is not thinking about retirement but about the next mission.
Temba Bavuma: The unbeaten Test captain
There have been speculations about his retirement from international cricket. Bavuma has built a stunning record in Test cricket. To date, the Proteas star remains the only unbeaten captain in Tests. He is in a rare class, taking South Africa to 11 wins and one draw.
He has yet to face a single defeat in Test cricket. But the biggest moment came at Lord’s. Under Bavuma’s leadership, South Africa defeated Australia in the 2025 ICC World Test Championship final at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground to lift the mace. It was South Africa’s first ICC trophy since 1998. It was a massive achievement under Bavuma.
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His numbers across formats also tell a strong story. Bavuma has led South Africa in 49 ODIs, winning 26 matches. In T20Is, he captained the side in 25 games and secured 11 wins. Only three white-ball games ended without result, but overall, his record is solid.
Temba Bavuma breaks silence on retirement rumours
Many believed such success could be the perfect time to step away. But Bavuma has other plans. He revealed that he always worked with a long-term vision. After winning the ICC World Test Championship title, the South African captain said that his eyes are on another big prize.
He wants to be part of the upcoming ICC World Cup in 2027 at home and lead South Africa from the front. The skipper stressed that a home World Cup final would mean even more than the WTC glory.
Eyes set on 2027 ICC World Cup at home
Temba Bavuma told former Zimbabwe cricketer and commentator Mpumelelo Mbangwa, “I always set the view of a four-year view. And to see where, as a captain and from a team point of view, we can be. Realistically, did I ever think we’d win the championship? Didn’t have 100% conviction.
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But the ambition, the goal—we work towards that. I work towards that. But definitely up there in terms of what I’ve achieved. What could be better than that? We have the 50-over World Cup next year. Still have to make the team, but being a part of that, leading the team to a final on home ground, that will definitely be up there.”
Temba Bavuma is already eyeing the 2027 Cricket World Cup on home soil 👀🏏
Watch my full chat with Temba on my YouTube channel: https://t.co/ARagACDLtT pic.twitter.com/BEXHKFRFuk
— Mpumelelo Mbangwa (@mmbangwa) February 22, 2026
Notably, Bavuma will return to Test cricket in October and November 2026 for a highly anticipated three-match Test series against Australia at home.
The Proteas side is currently playing in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026, where they will face India in the Super 8 clash in Ahmedabad on February 22. After this event, South Africa will travel to New Zealand for a five-match T20I series.
