Temba Bavuma's Sweet Redemption As Proteas Skipper Fights 'Quota Tag' To Win WTC Title

Bavuma lifts WTC title [Source: AP Photo]

Temba Bavuma is a symbol of 'hope' for the people in South Africa. For the Cricketing fraternity, the World Test Championship (WTC) final was just any other ordinary game but for all the Black South Africans who suffered racism during the apartheid, it was a sweet and memorable victory. 

When Kyle Verreynne scored the winning runs, the entire South African team erupted in joy but Bavuma stood still with his hands covering his face. It took him a while to realise but he did the unthinkable by beating the Aussies in their favourite format. The win took a while to sulk in but Bavuma had achieved the dream which many Black Africans saw.

The criticism endured by Bavuma

Bavuma became the first Black captain to lift an ICC trophy for his country as he stood tall over an Australian side who are used to winning tournaments, having won 10 ICC titles since the game's inception.

Bavuma endured a lot of body shaming trolls

Fans have trolled Bavuma for his batting average, they have trolled him for his height, and they have body-shamed their countryman but Bavuma responded without uttering a single word as he took South Africa to the eternal glory, something they have never seen before.

All the Black Africans will be proud of seeing Bavuma, walking down the Lord's gallery and going toe-to-toe with the best in the world as they capture their second-ever ICC trophy.

What is the Apartheid rule and how did it affect Bavuma and several others

Apartheid was a system of institutional racial segregation that existed in South Africa from 1948 to 1990. It ensured that the white South Africans, who were a minority during the period held the utmost dignity and the highest status in the nation. The Black Africans had no power and were at the lowest level in terms of dignity, far lower than the respect given to Indians.

Interestingly, the rule ended almost three decades ago, when Nelson Mandela became the President of South Africa. However, despite the Apartheid coming to an end, the "white" race continues to dominate every aspect - Politics, Sports, and others.

Bavuma, the victim of the 'Black Quota' Rule

In South African cricket, the current policy states that the South African team and the domestic sides are mandated to include a certain number of players from historically disadvantaged backgrounds. This also meant that teams include a set number of players from certain colours - mainly Black Africans.

Bavuma, victim of Black Quota

Bavuma is a victim of the "Quota tag." Often he was ridiculed for being a Quota player and many felt that Bavuma was only included in the South African team due to his skin colour. When Quinton de Kock couldn't handle the pressure of leading the Proteas team, the reigns were given to Bavuma and fans were certainly unhappy with the decision, especially when a white player in Dean Elgar was available to take the captaincy duties.

How Bavuma silenced his critics

After the India Vs South Africa series, captain Dean Elgar retired from Tests and the Proteas went ahead and made Bavuma the skipper. The decision was a master-stroke as the talented "Little Man", shrugged off the chokers tag and guided the Proteas to a memorable WTC win, their first ICC title in 27 years. Most importantly, the side was undefeated under Bavuma's leadership throughout the WTC cycle.

Bavuma wins WTC title for Proteas

He won 7 out of 8 matches (1 being a draw) and turned haters into his biggest fans as the South African side ended a long-drought to win something significant, and the biggest irony - a Black African was at the centre of their title winning campaign. 'Quota captain' has done what no 'merit captain' could ever do - help the Rainbow Nation win a trophy.

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