Temba Bavuma was an elated captain after South Africa clinched the World Test Championship (WTC) title by defeating Australia in the final on Saturday (June 14).
Chasing 282 to win, Aiden Markram remained unbeaten at 102 while Bavuma was at 65 as the Proteas reached 213/2 at stumps on Day 3, needing 69 more runs to seal the deal.
In the morning session on the penultimate day, Bavuma was dismissed for 66 while Markram managed to add 34 runs to his overnight tally. However, David Bedingham (21*) and Kyle Verreynne (4*) completed the formalities and took South Africa over the finishing line with five wickets in hand.
With this victory, South Africa ended the 27-year jinx of not winning an ICC trophy, thereby shedding the chokers tag.
Speaking after the win, Bavuma said he felt the energy at Lord's, saying that the crowd support made him feel like he was playing in South Africa.
The Proteas skipper also fired shots at doubters who constantly brought up the fact that South Africa reached the final after playing against weaker teams.
"It's been a special couple of days. At some point, it felt like we were back in South Africa with all the support in the stands. We've prepared hard for this, we've worked hard for this moment. We came here with a lot of belief, I think also with a lot of doubts. We're happy that we were able to play well enough to get that type of result," said Bavuma at the post-match presentation.
"Special moment for us as a team, special moment for the people back home. Probably it'll really sink in in a couple of days, but yeah, it's been special," he added.
This is just South Africa's second senior men's ICC title. It was their first ICC title win after 1998 when they emerged victorious in the ICC Knockout Trophy. In between, they have kept failing at the semi-finals or fail to cross the final hurdle.
However, in the WTC final against Australia, they held their nerves as Bavuma, along with Markram, helped the Proteas chase down 282.
"I think obviously it was us as a team, we've been wanting this. We've been knocking at that door, being relentless, getting ourselves into positions where we can be in the finals. We've gone through the heartache, we've gone through the disappointment, seen it with past players who've come before us. The sun is on us at the moment; that responsibility, we've been carrying it and hopefully, this is one of many," said Bavuma.
"Us as a team, we got ourselves into the final. There were doubters as to the route that we took, supposedly playing weaker teams. We're happy that we were able to perform like this, and hopefully, that kind of squashes that. I think for us as a country, here's an opportunity for us to, as divided as we are at times, forget all of that, rejoice at this moment and just be one. I'm sure the people back home will be celebrating it with us, and you can trust that we'll be celebrating it massively as well," he added.
Temba Bavuma also hailed Kagiso Rabada and Aiden Markram, who played critical roles in helping the Proteas end the ICC title jinx. Rabada starred with the ball, claiming nine wickets in the final.
"KG is a massive player. A couple of days ago, I went to the ICC World of Fame inductees; I think in a couple of years, KG will be one of those guys. He came into the game, and there was controversy behind him. He was motivated to do what he needed to do, and like a champion, he came and did what he did," said Bavuma.
Heading into the final innings, Markram was on a pair but he played one of the most memorable knocks in the history of ICC finals.
"A couple of months ago people were asking why Aiden was in the team. I think stats are important, but character is something that we look at, and a guy like Aiden carries all those traits. We knew in the second innings we were going to have to come out and play and he did it in true Aiden fashion," said Bavuma.
"Again, another massive player for us. Character has been a big thing for us as a team and those two guys are the ones who carry that," he concluded.
