South Africa's Historic Test Series Victory in India: Temba Bavuma Reflects

South Africa's cricket team, led by captain Temba Bavuma, achieved a historic Test series victory in India, marking their first win in 25 years. Bavuma reflects on the significance of this achievement, the challenges faced during the series, and the meticulous planning by coach Shukri Conrad that contributed to their success. This victory not only highlights the team's growth but also serves as a testament to their resilience and determination in overcoming past difficulties in Indian conditions. Discover more about this remarkable journey and Bavuma's insights in the full article.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 24, 2025, 17:48 IST

A Remarkable Achievement

Temba Bavuma, the captain of South Africa, expressed his excitement over the team's historic Test series triumph in India, where they defeated the Gautam Gambhir-led squad with a 2-0 scoreline last month. This victory marks South Africa's first Test series win in India in 25 years, with their last success dating back to 2000. The series concluded with a 30-run win in Kolkata, followed by an impressive 408-run victory in the second Test held in Guwahati.

Significance of the Win

In his column for ESPNcricinfo, Bavuma highlighted the significance of this achievement, noting that the last time South Africa won a series in India was during the captaincy of Hansie Cronje. He emphasized that achieving this victory after more than two decades underscores the magnitude of their accomplishment. "Our Test series victory against India was incredible. The craziest stat was that the last time we had won a Test series there was in the late Hansie Cronje's days as captain, in 2000. The fact that we did it two and a half decades later speaks to the magnitude of our performance and overall achievement. It's another feather in our cap as a side, and we're growing very well as a Test team," Bavuma stated.

Facing Challenges in India

Bavuma acknowledged the mental and technical challenges the team faced during the 2025 series in India, recalling past experiences that created a sense of caution. He mentioned that these memories served as valuable lessons for succeeding in Indian conditions. "I guess we came into the 2025 series knowing how tough it can be. You don't want to admit it as such but there are scars that still kind of live there. You just hope that you don't reopen those wounds or relive those moments. There was that from a mental point of view, but also, with past experience, you know how tough it's going to be," he explained.

Praise for Coach Shukri Conrad

Bavuma credited coach Shukri Conrad for the team's recent successes, including their victory over Australia in the World Test Championship final and a drawn series in Pakistan. He noted that Conrad's meticulous planning and preparation for the India series were crucial to their dominant performance. "In terms of coach Shukri getting the best out of us as players, that groundwork has been in play since we started. Shuks instils confidence in the players and makes them believe that they are the best. The premise is that if we play at our best, no one can stand near us," Bavuma remarked.