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Temba Bavuma Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 14, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth17 May 1990

Age33 Years (as of 2023)

BirthplaceRubusana Avenue of Langa, Cape Town, South Africa

ProfessionCricketer, Golfer, Businessman

NationalitySouth African

Marital statusMarried

SpousePhila Lobi

FamilyFather: Vuyo Bavuma; Mother: Phumza Bavuma; Siblings: Phola Bavuma, Phila Bavuma

Net worth$5 million (estimate for 2022)

Temba Bavuma Biography

South African top-order batter, captain in limited-overs formats, and multi-sport enthusiast who rose from Cape Town’s Langa to lead the Proteas. Bavuma is

Early life and background

Temba Bavuma was born on 17 May 1990 in the Langa neighbourhood of Cape Town, South Africa. He grew up in Cape Town and attended a sequence of schools that included South African College Junior School in Newlands, Fourways High School in Sandton for part of his childhood, and St David’s Marist in Inanda, where he completed his matric in 2007. Bavuma pursued higher education at the University of Johannesburg, the University of South Africa and later took an advanced real estate course at the University of Cape Town. His formal qualifications include a Bachelor of Commerce in Financial Management completed at the University of South Africa.

Bavuma played a range of sports as a child, including cricket, soccer, rugby and tennis. After moving to Johannesburg at age twelve he became more focused on cricket, influenced by family members who encouraged the change in direction.

Career

Bavuma made steady progress through South Africa’s domestic system. He began at Soweto Cricket Club and debuted in first-class cricket for Gauteng in October 2008. Shortly after that he appeared in List A and T20 provincial competitions, including a notable T20 debut in October 2011 when he scored 70 off 49 balls. He represented numerous domestic sides over his career, such as Gauteng, the Lions, Cape Cobras, Highveld Lions, Jozi Stars, Durban Heat and, in county cricket, Northamptonshire.

International recognition came in December 2014 when Bavuma made his Test debut against the West Indies. He recorded his first Test fifty in July 2015 and converted that progress into a maiden Test century in January 2016, an unbeaten 102 against England. He made his ODI debut in September 2016 and marked the occasion with a century, becoming one of the few South Africans to reach three figures on ODI debut. Bavuma also debuted in T20 internationals in September 2019.

In March 2021 Bavuma was appointed permanent captain of South Africa’s limited-overs teams, becoming the first black African to hold that permanent role. He led South Africa at the 2021 and 2022 T20 World Cups and the 2023 ODI World Cup. His international career includes large individual scores, such as 144 and 172 in contests against the West Indies in 2023, and a number of milestones that have been highlighted in his playing record, including carrying his bat and scoring centuries in ODIs.

Outside cricket, Bavuma has taken up golf since 2017 and has competed in amateur and professional events. He is also involved in business and property: he serves as a non-executive director of the Khulanathi Property Group and holds shares in various investment and real estate firms.

Public profile

Bavuma has received recognition for his performances and leadership. He won the South African Cricket Annual Cricketer of the Year award in 2015 and an Award of Excellence from Cricket South Africa in 2017. In 2023 he was named ODI Player of the Year at the Cricket South Africa awards. He has also worked as a commentator on occasion and earned a kit sponsorship from New Balance in 2017.

Off the field, Bavuma runs the Temba Bavuma Foundation, which supports and sponsors young cricketers identified via nationwide tournaments. He is known to enjoy travelling, follows golf closely—watching PGA Tour and Sunshine Tour events—and has an interest in cars.

Personal life

Bavuma is married to Phila Lobi; the couple wed on 25 August 2018 in Franschhoek, South Africa. His parents are Vuyo Bavuma, a former journalist, and Phumza Bavuma, who worked in the petroleum and energy sector. He has a brother, Phola, and a sister, Phila Bavuma. Bavuma is a Christian and is described as a non-vegetarian. He is nicknamed Sachin and lists Sachin Tendulkar as his favourite cricketer.

Latest updates

In international tournaments and series through 2023 Bavuma continued to be a leading figure in South Africa’s batting lineup and in captaincy roles for limited-overs formats. He has experienced both high points and public scrutiny—for example being involved in a verbal exchange with India’s Virat Kohli during a 2022 ODI, and a widely shared image from a team event during the 2023 ODI World Cup that drew online attention; Bavuma addressed the latter by explaining the camera angle had created a misimpression. He remains active in domestic and franchise T20 competitions, having been picked up by Sunrisers Eastern Cape for the 2023 SA T20 League season.
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Recent Work

Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SA T20 League)

Acquired for the 2023 season of the SA T20 League

2023
South Africa ODI and T20I captain

Appointed permanent limited-overs captain in March 2021; led South Africa at the 2021 and 2022 T20 World Cups and the 2023 ODI World Cup

2021–2023
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Career Highlights

  1. Scored a century on ODI debut (113 vs Ireland, 2016)
  2. First black African to be appointed permanent captain of South Africa across limited-overs formats (March 2021)
  3. Maiden Test century: 102 not out vs England (January 2016)
  4. Awarded South African Cricket Annual Cricketer of the Year (2015) and CSA ODI Player of the Year (2023)
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Net Worth

$5 million (estimate for 2022)

Figures are editorial estimates based on publicly available reporting and may change as new information emerges.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Temba Bavuma born?

17 May 1990

What is Temba Bavuma known for?

Cricketer, Golfer, Businessman

What is Temba Bavuma’s marital status?

Married

Who is Temba Bavuma married to?

Phila Lobi

What is Temba Bavuma’s net worth?

$5 million (estimate for 2022)