Temba Bavuma to become first black batsman in history to play for South Africa

Temba Bavuma and Rilee Rossouw while playing for South Africa ‘A’ against Australia ‘A’ in August 2014

Temba Bavuma is set to replace the injured Quinton de Kock when South Africa face off for the 2nd Test match against West Indies on Boxing Day at St. George’s Park. Quinton de Kock has been ruled out for the remainder of the 3-match Test series, and if the selectors continue to opt for a 7-batsman side, the 24-year-old Bavuma is the most logical choice.

Despite the fact that almost 80% of South Africa’s population is black, only 5 black African players have been fielded by the Proteas since their re-admission in 1991, and none since Makhaya Ntini’s retirement in 2009.

Ntini was the only one among the 5 to have had a long international career, taking 390 wickets in 101 Tests. The fast bowlers Monde Zondeki, Mfuneko Ngam and Lonwabo Tsotsobe and the wicketkeeper Thami Tsolekile managed a combined total of 17 Tests.

Bavuma’s international debut a significant landmark in a long racial history

“I’ve come to realise that there are a lot of people out there that I represent – I’m not just playing for myself,” Bavuma said on Wednesday. “I am aware, but it doesn’t really change the ball game for me.”

The young man has had a successful first-class career, and the highlight of his career as of yet has been a score of 162 against the Australia ‘A’ team on a South Africa ‘A’ tour in August.

Temba Bavuma will be the first black specialist batsman to ever play for South Africa. We have come a long way since 1960 when South Africa’s apartheid laws had forced talented batsman Basil d’Oliviera to emigrate to England in order to have an international cricket career.