Proteas captain Temba Bavuma believes South Africa’s emphatic victory over Australia in the second Test at St George’s Park was a statement of character from a team determined to prove why they are the reigning World Test Champions.

South Africa responded to their 214-run defeat in Durban with an innings-and-31-run victory in Gqeberha, levelling the three-match series at 1-1 ahead of the decisive third Test at Newlands.

Bavuma led the response with a magnificent 179 as the Proteas posted 425/9 declared before dismissing Australia for 99 and 295.

For the captain, however, the significance of the result extended beyond his individual performance or the margin of victory.

After questions were raised about South Africa’s mentality following the opening Test, Bavuma believes his players demonstrated the resilience and fighting spirit required to compete against one of the strongest teams in world cricket.

‘A lot was asked of us after our first Test in Durban’

Bavuma admitted that the defeat in Durban had placed the team’s character under scrutiny, making the response in Gqeberha particularly satisfying.

“I think it was very much a spirited effort from us. I think a lot was asked of us after our first Test in Durban.

“I think the biggest one was the character or the mentality of the team. I think over the course of the five days we’ve definitely spoken well to that.”

South Africa’s victory was built on contributions across both departments, with the batters establishing a commanding first-innings total before the bowlers took control of the contest.

Bavuma was particularly pleased with the team’s ability to remain competitive when conditions and match situations became difficult.

“So from a batting point of view, from a bowling point of view, when things were tough we managed to dig deep, stay in the game and most importantly get the result in our favour.”

The Proteas also had to contend with interruptions and unpredictable weather throughout the match, including on the final day.

Bavuma explained that the key was remaining focused on their plans rather than becoming distracted by circumstances beyond their control.

“Yeah, I mean a lot was happening. Even today, day five, we come in, the weather wanted to have a big say.

“I think for us obviously we have our plans. We try to stick to as close as we can to that. We obviously adapt to what is happening.”

He believes the team’s ability to trust their individual strengths helped them maintain their composure.

“Individually we know how we go about our business and we trust that if we can be as close to how each and every one of our strengths are, we’ll be able to play to our best.

“Try to stay in the moment and stick to what you do best.”

Rabada’s leadership brings confidence to the bowling attack

Kagiso Rabada’s return to the side after missing the opening Test provided a significant boost to South Africa’s bowling attack.

Bavuma believes the fast bowler’s influence extends beyond the wickets he takes, with his presence allowing other bowlers to perform their roles with greater confidence.

“I’ve said this, you know, like KG, he’s massive value, right? On and off the field.

“When he’s on the field, he assumes that responsibility and pressure of leading the attack. And I believe it allows everyone else to kind of go about and do what they need to do.”

That was evident in Gqeberha, where Marco Jansen claimed five wickets in Australia’s first innings before other members of the attack made important contributions in the second.

“A guy like Marco in the first innings, him taking a fiver.

“And then in the second innings, all the other guys coming in. Wiaan Mulder with crucial wickets there.”

Bavuma described Rabada as a leader whose actions often carry more influence than his words.

“So I mean, that’s what a leader does, right? KG is not a big guy in terms of speeches.

“He’ll speak whenever he sees fit. But I think, you know, with the figure that he is, you know, he is inspiring in a lot of ways.”

Mulder’s ability to make a big play

Wiaan Mulder was another player singled out by Bavuma after making important breakthroughs during Australia’s second innings.

The captain believes Mulder’s performances are closely connected to his confidence and his ability to play with freedom.

“I think, I mean, the biggest chat amongst us as a group is how can you be as good as you can be, if that makes sense.

“Trying to discover that, understanding yourself and staying true to that.”

Having played alongside Mulder for several years at the Lions, Bavuma has witnessed the all-rounder’s development and believes he has the ability to influence matches in both disciplines.

“So I mean, Wiaan, he’s a different character to everyone else. He’s a guy that feeds off of confidence.

“And I think once he’s within that space, he can play freely, you know. And he’s the guy who has the ability to make a big play with the ball, but also with the bat.”

Bavuma acknowledged his long association with Mulder but was full of praise for his contribution.

“He’s a guy that I’ve played for many years at the Lions. So, I guess there’s a little bit of biasness there from my side when it comes to him.

“But he’s one of those guys who can make the play when we need him to. And, look, today he did that beautifully in that second innings.”

With the series decider taking place at Newlands, Bavuma believes Mulder could again play an important role.

“I think he looked very threatening with the ball.

“And I guess Newlands, probably similar conditions, another coastal venue. You know, he could come into that conversation strongly again when it comes with the ball.”

The personal conversations behind Bavuma’s 179

While the victory was a collective achievement, Bavuma’s innings of 179 was central to South Africa’s response after his struggles with the bat in Durban.

The captain revealed that his preparation between the two Tests involved difficult conversations with himself, technical analysis and a renewed focus on his mental approach.

“You definitely have many conversations. I think, obviously, when you front up to the media, you try to keep a steely face.

“But when you’re there alone in your room, you know, you can’t kind of lie to yourself.”

Bavuma explained that he reviewed his dismissals and searched for areas that needed improvement.

“So, I mean, you do the whole thing. You analyse your batting innings. You look at it from a technical point of view if there’s anything that sticks out.”

However, he believes the biggest part of his preparation was mental.

“But I think from a mental point of view, kind of tune yourself to making sure that you’re ready for battle, you’re out to compete.

“And if the opportunity is there, you want to make the play for the team.”

He also spent time working in the nets to rediscover a rhythm that would allow him to approach the second Test with confidence.

“So, I guess for me, it was a lot of that from a mental point of view.

“Spent the time in the nets as well to kind of try to find something, some sort of a rhythm or feeling that I was confident that I could go into the game with.”

His innings demonstrated the importance of converting a start into a substantial score, something the Proteas had struggled to achieve in Durban.

It also gave South Africa the platform to put Australia under pressure and eventually secure a convincing victory.

The emotions behind Smith’s dismissal

Bavuma also reflected on one of the tense moments of the match when Matthew Breetzke completed a high catch to dismiss Steve Smith off Rabada’s bowling.

Breetzke initially fumbled the ball before completing the catch, leaving the captain visibly anxious.

“I was very nervous at that time. I think high catching at St George’s can be a bit tough, especially when the wind is blowing like that.

“I couldn’t see who was under the catch. So definitely not a case of me not having any faith in that individual.”

Bavuma explained that the significance of Smith’s wicket, combined with the threatening weather, heightened his emotions.

“Again, it just felt like a big moment in the game. Steve Smith, we know what an important cog he is within their batting line-up, but also just the game in itself.

“The clouds were coming in. So, yeah, I think I just kind of allowed my emotions to get the better of me there.”

The captain also highlighted the influence of the wind at St George’s Park, explaining how it can affect batters attempting to clear the boundary.

Reflecting on another Australian dismissal, he said:

“I mean, you can underestimate the fact that the wind really plays a factor, you know.

“So, yeah, he didn’t get all of it, all of that ball Marnus. And the wind did what it did, right? It held it and, yeah, you probably had the guy with the safest hands within the team, Marco Jansen, to catch it.”

For Bavuma, understanding those conditions is an important part of playing at the venue.

“Those are the small things playing here in St George’s. If you haven’t played, they can get you.”

Proteas focused on aggression rather than confrontation

Bavuma was also asked whether South Africa had adopted a more aggressive approach towards Australia following the opening Test.

He explained that the Proteas had focused primarily on their own standards rather than attempting to create confrontation with the opposition.

“I think for us as a team, right, we’re probably just looking at things a lot more internally in terms of what has allowed us to play well.

“And I think part of it is being aggressive in situations, not necessarily having to have a word with the opposition or look for fights, but be aggressive in how we approach it.”

Bavuma believes that aggression should be reflected in the team’s execution and willingness to seize important moments.

“Look for opportunities to make the play for the team and be ruthless in doing so.”

He acknowledged that certain players naturally enjoy the verbal exchanges that can accompany competitive Test cricket.

“There’s obviously certain individuals within the team who enjoy a little argy-bargy. And I mean, you allow those guys to go about doing that within obviously the rules.”

However, he insisted that South Africa had not deliberately changed their approach to the contest.

“From the Australians, yeah, I guess there was a little bit more verbal chatter about it.

“But from our side, you know, honestly, I don’t think we approached it any differently.”

‘The target is on our back’

Bavuma believes South Africa’s status as World Test Champions has created a new level of expectation and pressure.

The captain admitted that the team sometimes needs to remind itself that opponents are now particularly motivated to challenge them.

“I think sometimes as a team, we forget that the target is on our back.

“And everyone wants to have a go at us. Everyone wants us to show our mettle as the current world champions.

“And everything that we do is under the microscope, if I could call it that.”

The defeat in Durban served as a reminder of the demands that come with holding that status, particularly against a team of Australia’s quality.

“So I think our performance, the game in Durban, was a realisation of that.

“But also a realisation of what it means coming up against super strong opposition, you know.”

For Bavuma, the response in Gqeberha has reinforced the belief within the dressing room.

“So I think, again, from a pride point of view, from a belief point of view, we’ve definitely strengthened that by being able to perform like that.”

However, he expects the pressure to increase rather than disappear following the victory.

“From a pressure point of view, an expectation point of view, that’s probably going to keep increasing, individually, but within a team.

“And I guess the case for us is just to keep embracing that, keep going towards that pressure, rather than kind of allowing it to hit us in the face.”

Momentum now shifts to Newlands

With the series level at 1-1, the Proteas head to Cape Town with renewed confidence ahead of the third and final Test.

Bavuma believes the ability to dismiss Australia twice, despite having one fewer bowler available during the match, will strengthen the team’s belief.

“I think it’ll be massive. I think the way that we bounce back, I guess, again, that word resilience, that’s going to be thrown around there again in terms of our mentality as South Africans and the team.

“I think momentum is a big thing.”

For the captain, the challenge now is to protect that momentum while preparing for a different set of conditions at Newlands.

“So, I think that’s something that once you’ve achieved, you want to protect it. And that’s exactly what we’ll be trying to do.”

He cautioned that the timing of the Cape Town Test could present unfamiliar conditions compared to the traditional New Year’s fixture.

“With that being said, it will be a case of when we get to Cape Town, we get to Newlands, understand what’s happening there.

“Different time of the year. I don’t think I’ve played in Cape Town this time of the year. So, you know, it’ll be different to what we’re used to with the New Year’s Test and then prepare accordingly.”

Although the victory in Gqeberha was a significant achievement, Bavuma suggested that winning the series at Newlands would carry even greater meaning.

Asked whether the second Test was among the most special victories of his career, he replied:

“I think the Newlands one most probably would be, if things go, I guess, according to plan.”

For now, the Proteas can take confidence from a performance that answered many of the questions raised after Durban.

They have demonstrated their ability to respond to adversity, produce match-winning contributions across the team and overcome one of the strongest opponents in Test cricket.

But Bavuma knows that the biggest challenge is still to come.

“The momentum, confidence, the strengthening of our belief will definitely take that come next week, Tuesday.”

The third and final Test between South Africa and Australia begins at Newlands in Cape Town on Tuesday, 27 October.

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