The Proteas captain reached the milestone with his seventh run in the second innings, having entered the match on 3,993 before being dismissed for a duck in South Africa’s first innings.

His eventual contribution of 35 took his career tally to 4,028, adding another landmark to a Test career that began against the West Indies in December 2014. His record includes five centuries and 26 half-centuries.

The achievement followed one of Bavuma’s finest performances in a Proteas shirt.

His career-best 179 in the second Test at St George’s Park earned him the Player of the Match award and helped South Africa secure an innings-and-31-run victory to level the series.

That innings offered another reminder of his importance to a batting order which has frequently needed its captain to deliver under pressure.

At Newlands, the personal milestone arrived during another demanding passage for the hosts, who began their second innings facing a 100-run deficit.

Bavuma helped South Africa move into the lead, but Nathan Lyon bowled him shortly before stumps. The Proteas closed on 140-4, only 40 runs ahead, with Matthew Breetzke unbeaten on 19 and Ryan Rickelton on eight.

For Bavuma, the day brought a place in a select group of South African batters. For his team, the immediate challenge remains extending that narrow advantage to give their bowlers a chance to win the series.

Captain, fighter, run-getter! 💪

Temba Bavuma reaches 4000 Test runs and counting 🇿🇦 https://t.co/9y7X7tEZA4

— Cricinfo (@cricinfo) October 29, 2026