The Proteas beat Pakistan by two wickets on day four of the Test series opener at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Sunday.
Pursuing a 148-run target, South Africa moved to 96 for four. Bavuma’s was the fifth wicket, as South Africa slipped to 99 for eight. An unbroken 51-run partnership between all-rounder Marco Jansen and tail-ender Kagiso Rabada pushed the hosts to 150 for eight.
The result gave South Africa a berth in the final of the International Cricket Council’s 2023-25 World Test Championship final at Lord’s in London next year.
“There wasn’t much conversation at the lunch break, to be honest. I was still sulking in the toilets,” said Bavuma.
“I guess I think the other guys, Aiden Markram leading the boys, I think he kept them going. We were obviously trying to stay positive, but there wasn’t a lot of conversation. I’d like to say that there was still confidence and belief in us doing it.
“Obviously Kagiso and Jansen were able to do it. I came out when we needed about 15 runs. I didn’t come out fully into the viewing area. I was always there at the back. It was a tough one. It’s not often that you get that emotional.”
South Africa will play Australia, India or Sri Lanka in June 2025’s WTC final at Lord’s in London, England.
New Zealand won the 2019-21 WTC title. India ended in second position and Australia third. England were fourth. South Africa were fifth.
Australia won the 2021-23 WTC title. India ended in second position and South Africa third. England were fourth. Sri Lanka were fifth.
MORE latest Proteas cricket news
- Who were South Africa’s most prolific all-format batsmen in 2024?
- Enoch Nkwe praises Shukri Conrad: This is a great accomplishment
- Proteas qualify for World Test Championship final
- Dane Paterson: To all the haters – this one is for you
- ‘Super emotional’ Corbin Bosch: My dad obviously played for South Africa as well
- Rob Walter: I’m optimistic that when the time comes, we’ll pull together
- Hawks arrest and charge former Proteas pair
- Proteas select Corbin Bosch and Kwena Maphaka for Test cricket
- JP Duminy resigns ‘following a mutual agreement with CSA’
- Heinrich Klaasen: This is ridiculous, disappointing, annoying
- Tabraiz Shamsi: I have decided to opt out of my central contract
- Dewald Brevis: I want to be the best cricketer that has ever lived