South Africa’s Test and ODI captain Temba Bavuma finally broke his silence on retirement talks amid the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 activities in India and Sri Lanka. Temba Bavuma has made it clear that he is not thinking about retirement but about the next mission.
Temba Bavuma: The Invincible Test Captain
There has been speculation about his retirement from international cricket. Bavuma has made a great record in Test cricket. To date, the Proteas star remains the only unbeaten captain in Tests. He is in a rare category, having led South Africa to 11 wins and one draw.
He has not yet faced a single defeat in Test cricket. But the biggest moment came at Lord’s. Under Bavuma’s leadership, South Africa won the mace by defeating Australia in the 2025 ICC World Test Championship final at the prestigious Lord’s Cricket Ground. This was South Africa’s first ICC trophy since 1998. This was a major achievement under Bavuma’s leadership.
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His statistics across all formats also tell a strong story. Bavuma has led South Africa in 49 ODIs, winning 26. In T20Is, he captained the team in 25 matches and achieved 11 wins. Only three white-ball games ended without a result, but overall, their record is solid.
Temba Bavuma breaks silence on retirement rumors
Many believed that such success might be the right time to walk away. But Bavuma has other plans. He revealed that he always worked with a long-term perspective. After winning the ICC World Test Championship title, the South African captain said that he is eyeing another big prize.
He wants to be a part of the upcoming ICC World Cup to be held in 2027 on home soil and want to lead South Africa from the front. The captain stressed that a home World Cup final will mean more than WTC glory.
Eyes set on 2027 ICC World Cup on home soil
Temba Bavuma told former Zimbabwean cricketer and commentator Mpumelelo Mbangwa, “I always take a four-year view. And to see where we can be, both as a captain and from a team point of view. Realistically, did I ever think we would win the championship? I didn’t believe 100%.
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But the ambition, the goal – we work towards that. I work in that direction. But I am definitely on top in terms of what I have achieved. What could be better than that? We have a 50-over World Cup next year. Still have to make the team, but to be a part of it, to take the team to the final on home soil, that will definitely be on top.”
Temba Bavuma already has his sights set on the 2027 Cricket World Cup on home soil 👀🏏
Watch my full conversation with Temba on my YouTube channel: https://t.co/ARagACDLtT pic.twitter.com/BEXHKFRFuk
– Mpumelelo Mbangwa (@mmbangwa) 22 February 2026
Notably, Bavuma will return to Test cricket in October and November 2026 for the much-awaited three-match Test series against Australia on home soil.
The Proteas team is currently playing in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026, where they will face India in the Super 8 clash on February 22 in Ahmedabad. Following the event, South Africa will travel to New Zealand for a five-match T20I series.
