Temba Bavuma is a South African cricketer, golfer, and businessman. He has captained South Africa in all formats of cricket and various World Cups. He is considered one of the technically best cricketers in South Africa.
Wiki/Biography
Temba Bavuma was born on Thursday, 17 May 1990 (age 33 years; as of 2023) in Rubusana Avenue of Langa, Cape Town, South Africa. His zodiac sign is Taurus.
He studied at South African College Junior School, Newlands and later at Fourways High School, Sandton till the age of 12, after which he moved to Johannesburg with his family. He said in an interview that he used to play all types of sports during his childhood including rugby, cricket, tennis, and soccer, and soccer was his favourite game until he moved to Johannesburg. He had two uncles who ignited the passion for cricket in him. He later completed his schooling till matric at St David’s Marist, Inanda in 2007.
In 2009, he started pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) degree in Financial Management at University of Johannesburg; however, he dropped out after 18 months as he could not study for a full-time degree due to his cricket schedule. He later pursued B.Com Financial Management at University of South Africa which he completed in 2014. He also completed an advanced real estate course at the University of Cape Town. He later became a professional cricketer.
Physical Appearance
Height: 5′ 3″
Weight (approx.): 65 kg
Hair Colour: Black (Bald)
Eye Colour: Black
Body Measurements (approx.): Chest 44″, Waist 30″, Biceps 15″
Family & Ethnicity
He belongs to a Christian family of the black race.
Parents & Siblings
His father, Vuyo Bavuma, is a former journalist, and his mother, Phumza Bavuma, used to work in the petroleum and energy sector. He has a sister named Phila Bavuma and a brother named Phola Bavuma.

Temba Bavuma’s father, Vuyo Bavuma, brother, Phola Bavuma, sister, Phila Bavuma, and his mother, Phumza Bavuma (left to right)
Wife & Children
Temba Bavuma got married to Phila Lobi on 25 August 2018 at a private party in The Conservatory, Franschhoek, South Africa. The couple does not have any children.
Relationships/Affairs
He dated Phila Lobi for a few years before marrying her in 2018.
Religion
He follows Christianity.
Autograph
Career
Cricket
Domestic
During his teens, Temba played for Soweto Cricket Club where he was coached by Geoffrey Toyana. He made his first-class debut on 2 October 2008 for Gauteng against Eastern Province in the Provincial Three-Day Challenge Tournament. He played his debut List A (one-day) match on 5 October 2008 for Gauteng against Eastern Province in the Provincial One-Day Challenge Tournament. He made his T20 debut on 2 October 2011 for Gauteng against Griqualand West in the CSA Provincial T20 Challenge Tournament and scored his first T20 half-century in the match with 70 runs off 49 balls.
Temba has also played for the Lions, Cape Cobras, and Highveld Lions in various domestic seasons. He has also played for many teams during his initial domestic years which include Gauteng Under-19, South African Schools, South African Invitation XI, South African Emerging Players, South Africa Academy, Composite XI, Proteas, and South Africans in the South African domestic circuit.
International
South Africa Under-19 & South Africa A
Temba Bavuma debuted for South Africa Under-19 in the 2008-09 season and South Africa A team in the 2012 season.
Test
Temba Bavuma made his test debut on 26 December 2014 against West Indies in Gqeberha, South Africa and scored 10 runs in the first innings. In July 2015, he made his first test fifty with 54 runs against Bangladesh in the first innings.
In January 2016, he made his first test century with 102 runs not out against England in the first innings. In March 2023, he made 172 runs against West Indies in the second innings.
ODI
He made his ODI debut on 25 September 2016 against Ireland in Benoni, South Africa and made his first ODI century with 113 runs. On 4 February 2020, he made his maiden ODI half-century with 98 runs against England. On 18 March 2023, he scored 144 runs against West Indies.
2023 ODI World Cup
He captained South Africa in the 2023 ODI World Cup held in India. After South Africa’s loss to the Netherlands, his reaction from the dressing room became a source of funny jokes and memes on the internet.
T20I
He debuted in T20Is on 18 September 2019 against India in Mohali, India and scored 49 runs off 43 balls. He made his maiden T20I fifty on 24 July 2021 against Ireland with 72 runs off 51 balls.
T20I World Cups
In the 2021 T20I World Cup, he scored 91 runs in 5 matches at an average of 30.33. In the 2022 T20I World Cup, he scored 70 runs in 5 matches at an average of 17.50.
Captaincy
Temba Bavuma was appointed as the captain of ODI and T20I South African team on 4 March 2021. He went on to captain South Africa in the 2021 and 2022 T20I World Cups and the 2023 ODI World Cup.
Leagues
Mzansi Super League T20 Tournament (MSL)
Temba Bavuma played for the Durban Heat in the 2018 MSL season and Jozi Stars in the 2019 MSL season.
County Championship
He played for Northamptonshire and Northamptonshire Second XI in the 2019 County season.
SA20 League
He was acquired by Sunrisers Eastern Cape for the 2023 season of the SA T20 League.
Jersey Number
He wears jersey number 11 in the South African national team and other tournaments.
Golf
He started playing golf in 2017 and went on to compete in various amateur and professional golf tournaments during his free time. He also watches the PGA Tour, Majors, and the Sunshine Tour on TV regularly.
Business
Temba Bavuma serves as the non-executive director of the Khulanathi Property Group. He also holds holdings in various investments and real estate firms.
Controversies
Verbal spat with Virat Kohli
In January 2022, during the ODI match against India, Bavuma hit a ball that went to the Indian cricketer Virat Kohli who threw back the ball in a very fast manner back to the Indian wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant. Bavuma was not happy with Kohli’s behaviour and got into a verbal exchange with him. Many fans criticised Kohli for behaving in such an animated way.
Sleeping during Captain’s Day
During the Captain’s Day event on 4 October 2023 before the 2023 ODI World Cup held in India, Temba Bavuma was caught on camera with his eyes closed while the event was going on. Many fans roasted Bavuma by saying that he got so bored with the event that he decided to nap; however, he later took to Twitter to clarify that he was not sleeping, and the false impression was created due to the camera angle.
Awards, Honours, Achievements
- Became the 2nd South African cricketer to score a hundred on his ODI debut in 2016
- Award of Excellence at Cricket South Africa’s awards in May 2017
- Became the first black African to become permanent captain of South Africa in March 2021
- ODI Player of the Year Award at the Cricket South Africa (CSA) awards in 2023
Car Collection
Temba Bavuma owns a Ford Mustang GT, Audi TT Sports, and Mercedes-Benz C Class.
Net Worth
His net worth for 2022 was around $ 5 million (INR 40 crores).
Favourites
Facts/Trivia
- When he was studying in the 6th grade at the South African College Schools (SACS) in 2001, he got a project about where he saw himself in 15 years. He wrote that he saw himself wearing the national team jersey and shaking the hands of the South African President. His fans were amazed when he debuted for South Africa in 2014.
- His batting style is right-handed, and his bowling style is right-arm medium pace. He is an opening batsman.
- Temba Bavuma follows a non-vegetarian diet to fulfil his nutritional demands.
- He likes to drink beer during parties and celebrations after winning matches.
- He also sponsors young and talented cricketers through his foundation Temba Bavuma Foundation. He organises nationwide cricket tournaments to identify such talent.
- He was sponsored by the New Balance brand in 2017 for cricket kits and other cricketing equipment.
- He likes travelling to exotic locations around the world such as the Pyramids in Egypt.
- He also done commentary during a few cricket matches.