Temba Bavuma Breaks India Great's Long-Standing Record, Ends 76-Year Wait For Rare Feat

Temba Bavuma broke several records in the process, leaving several greats of the game behind.© AFP

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma entered the history books following his monumental 179 against Australia in the second Test at Gqeberha on Tuesday. The Proteas began the day in deep trouble after Scott Boland stunned the top order following a lengthy rain delay. Bavuma picked up the pieces, stitching together crucial partnerships with Ryan Rickelton, Marco Jansen and Simon Harmer for the fifth, seventh and eighth wickets respectively. Bavuma's marathon knock eventually came to an end late on Day 3, before South Africa declared their first innings at 425/9.

However, he broke several records in the process, leaving several greats of the game behind.

Oldest captains to score 150 or more vs Australia in Test cricket:

Temba Bavuma (South Africa) - 179, 36 years 154 days, Gqeberha, 2026

Mohammad Azharuddin (India) - 163, 35 years 38 days, Kolkata, 1998

Wally Hammond (England) - 240, 35 years 5 days, Lord's, 1938

Mike Denness (England) - 188, 34 years 69 days, Melbourne, 1975

Andrew Strauss (England) - 161, 32 years 136 days, Lord's, 2009

Bavuma became the oldest captain in Test cricket to score 150 or more against Australia, breaking the previous record held by former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin.

Bavuma, at 36 years and 154 days, is also the oldest captain and the first since Australia's Arthur Lindsay Hassett to score 150 or more in a Test innings in South Africa. Incidentally, Hassett's knock of 167 against South Africa came at the same venue in 1950.

Oldest captains to score 150 or more in a Test innings in South Africa

Arthur Lindsay Hassett (Australia) - 167, 36 years 187 days, vs South Africa, Gqeberha, 1950

Temba Bavuma (South Africa) - 179, 36 years 154 days, vs Australia, Gqeberha, 2026

Wally Hammond (England) - 181, 35 years 181 days, vs South Africa, Cape Town, 1938

Brian Lara (West Indies) - 202, 34 years 224 days, vs South Africa, Johannesburg, 2003

Herbie Collins (Australia) - 203, 33 years 295 days, vs South Africa, Johannesburg, 1921

Bavuma's 179 is the fourth-highest score by a South Africa captain at home, behind Hashim Amla's 208 and 201, and Graeme Smith's 183.

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