Last Updated on 15 seconds ago by Charbel Coorey

Temba Bavuma notched up his 4,000th Test run during the decider against Australia at Cape Town. Bavuma became the 11th South African to reach the mark.

At the time of writing, Bavuma averages 38.46 in Tests. However, his last few years have been particularly fruitful, scoring 1,203 runs as captain at an average of 52.30.

Temba Bavuma reaches 4,000 Test runs

Bavuma has played some memorable knocks as captain. His 66 in the World Test Championship Final, where he combined with Aiden Markram for a 147-run stand, set up the Proteas’ drought-breaking ICC triumph. He batted through a hamstring injury in that innings.

A few months later, Bavuma struck a superb, unbeaten 55 on a very difficult Eden Gardens surface. South Africa went on to win that match – as well as the series – against India away from home.

In October of 2026, he played arguably his best knock to date – a magnificent 179 against Australia in Gqeberha. It was a magnificent show of grit and patience under pressure, which formed the cornerstone of his team’s series-levelling win.

At 36 years and 156 days, Bavuma becomes the second-oldest South African to reach 4,000 Test runs. Faf du Plessis was only slightly older (36 years, 168 days) when he reached the milestone.