Transformation has to be applied with pure intentions, says Bavuma

Proteas captain Temba Bavuma said the Eastern Province Warriors and Cricket SA (CSA) could have managed the scandal surrounding the failure to select the requisite number of black African players for a domestic match much better than they did. 

Bavuma was speaking at the unveiling of a ground named in his honour at his alma mater, St David’s Marist in Johannesburg on Tuesday.

“Within cricket, we know transformation is important. We can’t now in 2025 want to discuss if it should or shouldn’t be there in the system. Those are things that should be done in the boardroom and it shouldn't have played out the way that it did,” he said. 

“Transformation is sensitive and controversial, and for the people who have the powers to implement it, it’s important it’s done with pure intentions. When the intentions are not good, it stirs up controversy.”

The Warriors were docked points after winning a One-Day Cup match against the Dolphins in February for failing to field three black Africans in their starting team as is mandated by CSA. 

That decision could yet have far-reaching ramifications for the Warriors, who head into the final round of the CSA Four-Day Series with relegation to Division 2 very much a possibility. 

While blame has been directed at CSA, particularly for the length of time it took — three weeks — to deliver a judgment, which may yet be disputed by the Free State Cricket Union, Bavuma said the national body isn’t solely responsible. 

“In my opinion it is not an indictment on Cricket SA. With transformation, the easiest thing is to point (fingers) at Cricket SA. Hopefully there won’t be incidents like that in the future. It’s not a good showing for all involved. If we are trying to send a message there are better ways to do that — but not in that fashion.”

Of greater concern is the effect on players, which Bavuma, who has faced loads of criticism — and still does, much of it baseless — explained needs to be carefully managed. 

“It can negatively affect guys and how guys view each other and how everyone then views selection. At the top, as players we deal with what we have to deal with. You spend enough time with the Proteas to understand, that fairly or unfairly, you know there are certain things you have to deal with as a black player. Certain things don’t surprise you, you just get on with what you need to do,” said Bavuma. 

Winning the World Test Championship, would create tangible value for everything I’ve gone through and what the team has gone through.

—  Temba Bavuma

The South African captain, who matriculated in 2007 and is one of St David’s most celebrated pupils, said the naming of the Temba Bavuma Oval, which is going to become the school’s No 1 field, is an honour he will treasure. 

“It’s a piece of my legacy, something I will hold with lots of pride. I hope it inspires other like-minded athletes.”

All the pupils and the faculty attended the event along with Bavuma’s family, CSA officials, including the director of national teams Enoch Nkwe and Bavuma’s former provincial coaches Geoffrey Toyana and Dave Nosworthy — the school’s director of cricket. 

Meanwhile Bavuma said he was aiming to sign a short-term contract with an English county club to help maintain rhythm ahead of the World Test Championship final in June. 

The Proteas face Australia at Lord's from June 11. The domestic season ends in two weeks’ time, leaving players like Bavuma and Tony de Zorzi, who are not in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and currently don't have any county deals, without any cricket to play.

While a host of South Africa's Test players are involved in the IPL, only Kyle Verreynne, Dane Paterson and David Bedingham, of those Test players not in India, will be playing county cricket.

“There might be a camp for the guys who are here before we leave on May 31. If I don't get a deal in England, then obviously I would have to keep doing my own thing, looking after my physical training and after my mental state,” said Bavuma.

He is playing for the Lions in the last Four-Day Series match against the Free State Knights this week, and would be available for the final next week, which, as seems likely, the Lions will qualify for. 

Bavuma has played in just one Test at Lord's in 2017, making 59 in the first innings, in a match South Africa lost.

“It will be nice to go back. Winning the World Test Championship, would create tangible value for everything I’ve gone through and what the team has gone through,” he said. “We’ve come close on a couple of occasions and this is another opportunity to really go for it. I’m not desperate, but I'm going to put my best foot forward.”