With nine wins and one draw, South Africa’s Temba Bavuma sets a new benchmark in Test captaincy, eclipsing legends like Chapman and Armstrong.
London [UK], June 15: South African skipper Temba Bavuma has scripted history by becoming the most successful Test captain in the format’s history after 10 matches, boasting an unmatched record of nine wins and one draw, as reported by Wisden.
Bavuma took charge of the national side during the 2022/23 home Test series against West Indies, immediately leading South Africa to a 2-0 clean sweep. That success marked the beginning of a near-flawless campaign under his leadership.
The winning momentum continued in the 2023/24 Test series against India, where South Africa secured a victory in the Cape Town opener. Though Bavuma missed the next Test due to injury, his captaincy record remained intact.
A notable exception was the tour of New Zealand, which coincided with the SA20 league, forcing South Africa to field a second-string team. Bavuma did not captain in that series, and the 2-0 defeat was not attributed to his leadership record.
His return to the helm saw South Africa dominate in Port of Spain, although rain denied them a victory, ending in a draw. At that point, his official captaincy record stood at three wins and one draw from four matches.
What followed was a streak of brilliance:
- One win vs. West Indies
- Two wins in Bangladesh (though without Bavuma)
- Two home wins against Sri Lanka
- Two more against Pakistan
These seven straight victories, including four with Bavuma as skipper, propelled South Africa into the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final.
In a historic showdown at Lord’s, Bavuma’s team clinched a memorable five-wicket victory over Australia, securing South Africa’s first-ever WTC title.
This record places Bavuma among the elite. He becomes only the second captain in history to win nine of his first 10 Tests—a feat previously achieved by England’s Percy Chapman in the 1920s. However, unlike Chapman, Bavuma has no losses, making him technically superior in consistency.
Only Warwick Armstrong of Australia managed an unbeaten 10-Test start before Bavuma, but his record included two draws and only eight wins.
Under the current World Test Championship points system, Bavuma’s Points Percentage (PCT) stands at an astounding 93.33, placing him ahead of Chapman (90) and Armstrong (86.67).
Bavuma’s early success not only reflects individual brilliance but also a period of renewed dominance in South African Test cricket, setting a high standard for leadership in the modern era.