In February 2024, following South Africa's 0-2 defeat to New Zealand, few believed the Proteas had any chance of reaching the World Test Championship (WTC) final. The inexperienced South African team struggled against the Kiwis in New Zealand, leading to significant criticism directed at Cricket South Africa (CSA) for fielding a second-string squad while the main players remained at home due to commitments to SA20.

However, nearly a year later, the narrative has shifted dramatically, with South African cricket on the verge of greatness. Temba Bavuma and his team have achieved the remarkable feat of advancing to the WTC final, with only one hurdle remaining before they can claim the ultimate prize. A highly anticipated match against Australia at Lord's Cricket Ground awaits, presenting South Africa with the opportunity to secure their first ICC title in nearly thirty years.

Bavuma has been pivotal in South Africa's resurgence. The Proteas have secured seven consecutive Test victories to earn their spot in the final, and Bavuma, at 34 years of age, has displayed exceptional form, amassing over 500 runs in his last four Tests.

In an engaging conversation with Hindustan Times, Bavuma shared his thoughts on approaching the WTC final and the forthcoming match against Australia, scheduled to take place on June 11 at Lord's.

I am quite pleased with my current form. Naturally, as batters, our goal is to score runs and contribute to the team's success. I have been seeing the ball well, my footwork has been effective, and I have been consistently making solid contact with the ball. Therefore, I am very satisfied with my performance and my ability to deliver match-winning contributions to the team.

Leading the South African team entails significant responsibility and pressure. Our supporters always expect excellence, so it is essential to meet those expectations. Thus, there is considerable pressure, a great deal of responsibility, and also a sense of fulfilment in being able to bring joy to our fans.

There has been criticism of how SA entered the final. Would you like to respond to the naysayers?

I would prefer not to address that matter. We are currently in the final, and that is the only statement I can provide.

Certainly, we would be eager to compete further in South Africa. We are keen to enhance our skills through additional matches and to further test our capabilities. Reflecting on the recent series against India, which concluded with a 1-1 draw, it was a brief two-match series that felt somewhat anticlimactic. The essence of competition is to determine the superior team, and in that instance, it was unclear who truly emerged as the best. Therefore, it may be beneficial to establish a minimum number of Test matches.

Last year, England participated in approximately 22 Tests, while we only played 12, resulting in a significant disparity. It is our hope that such imbalances do not persist.

The upcoming match will undoubtedly be challenging. Competing against Australia is always a formidable and thrilling experience, compelling one to perform at their highest level. With the top two teams facing off, it is statistically significant, yet one cannot definitively claim that they are the absolute best. Australia boasts a formidable and seasoned bowling attack, which will undoubtedly play to their advantage.

In contrast, our team is relatively less experienced. However, we possess numerous match-winners capable of delivering exceptional performances when it matters most. Our bowling lineup has undergone considerable changes, yet we have confidence in the abilities of those selected to contribute to the team's success. Additionally, there will be intriguing matchups between key players, such as Rabada against Steve Smith, and Pat Cummins against Aiden Markram, promising exciting contests.

It is understandable that some may perceive us as underdogs. Many observers likely underestimated our chances of reaching this stage, particularly given the challenging start to our Test Championship campaign.

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