Exclusive: Siya Kolisi Praises Temba Bavuma’s Courage in the Face of Criticism

Springbok hero Siya Kolisi knows all too well what it’s like to face heavy scrutiny over his selection—let alone his captaincy—for a South African team. It’s why he feels a special connection with Temba Bavuma, who has just led the Proteas to World Test Championship glory.

Kolisi is now almost universally celebrated and admired in South Africa after leading the Springboks to back-to-back World Cup crowns, and his toughness and durability as a loose forward have made him a key player in the line-up.

But he made his debut back in 2013 and, when Springbok rugby entered one of its darkest eras post the 2015 World Cup, Kolisi had to endure much unwarranted criticism that painted him as a quota player unworthy of his place in the team.

But when Rassie Erasmus became the national rugby coach in 2018, one of his first moves was to appoint Kolisi as his captain, indicating his respected status amongst his peers. Kolisi quickly justified the decision through his inspirational leadership on and off the field.

Bavuma was first selected for the Proteas in 2014 and has had to negotiate many ups and downs in his career. He also had to endure vicious abuse which accused him of being a quota player, only selected due to affirmative action measures to try and make the demographics of the team reflect those of the country in the post-Apartheid era.

Even when the gutsy batsman succeeded, he was criticised for not converting his many half-centuries, several of which were backs-to-the-wall efforts, into hundreds. Bavuma has still had his critics over the last couple of years even though he has averaged 49.77 in Test cricket since 2021 and averages 43 in ODIs at a strike-rate of 87, making him South Africa's most consistent batsman.

But the 35-year-old has made all questions of his value irrelevant by playing a vital role with the bat as South Africa beat favourites and defending champions Australia in the World Test Championship final at Lord's.

Kolisi, like Bavuma a product of an impoverished Black township, saluted the diminutive hero with the heart of a lion.

"I'm so happy for Temba and the Proteas for what they've done for us as a country. I know how tough it's been and people have had a lot to say about them. But when it mattered most, they showed how tough they are."

"I know how ugly things have been for Temba, there have been times when nothing good has been said about him. It was tough at the beginning of my career too, and we speak about it. We don't talk every day, but when it is needed," Kolisi told SportsBoom.co.za exclusively.

"We could have both given up and although there were a lot more happy people when we were appointed, there were still those who make a lot of noise and make it very tough. It gets lonely and you see your name in the paper and there's nothing positive said about you."

"I saw what he went through and I would always message him. It could have been too much for him, but the critics didn't stop him. That sort of abuse can derail you, but I am so proud of him. He is unbeaten in Tests as a captain and batting with that hamstring has been kinda like his career has been."

"But who wrote that amazing story, with him as captain prevailing at the end. And I think the Proteas are going to achieve more now, they are going to do really well," Kolisi said.

Australians tamed

While the hoary old sayings of Bavuma being small in stature but having a massive heart, and dynamite coming in a small package, are certainly apt on this occasion, the Springbok captain also had words of praise for a superb team effort that managed to tame the heavily-favoured Australians.

"It was a proper team effort. Lungi Ngidi's first innings with the ball wasn't good, he struggled, but look at the way he fought back in that second innings, while KG Rabada was as reliable as ever and top-class, while Wiaan Mulder also stood up. Aiden Markram scoring that hundred after his duck in the first innings was amazing too," Kolisi said.

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus also described the Proteas as a source of great pride.

"The Proteas inspire us, we share the same environment, we face the same pressures. Them maybe more than us, they were a bit like us in 2018. We see our excitement for each other, they have helped us in our hearts."

"They did flippen well, to fight like that, that's what South Africans want to see, that we never give up, even though I think it must get quite lonely out there in the middle," Erasmus said.