Proteas captain Temba Bavuma set to be crowned emperor of South African cricket
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TEMBA Bavuma is set to complete a year of huge achievement when the Cricket SA Awards will be held at Emperors Palace on Thursday evening.
Bavuma had an outstanding year both as leader and player. Although the Proteas' epic World Test Championship final victory over Australia at Lord's last month does not fall within the judging period - 1 May 2024 to 30 April 2025 - Bavuma was still a standout performer and is the favourite to be crowned SA Cricketer of the Year, Test Cricketer of the Year and Fan's Player of the Year.
He was splendid during the Proteas' march to the WTC Final with 609 runs at an average of 60.90, which included two centuries against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Bavuma also boasts a 100% captaincy record with the Proteas having won series against West Indies, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan under his leadership.
It will be the first time that Bavuma could be honoured with the highest prize in South African cricket, following in the footsteps of legends such as Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, Makhaya Ntini and Kagiso Rabada.
🏆 Proteas Captain Temba Bavuma and his team brought the mace home in style!
Explosive vibes, heartfelt pride, and a community united in celebration. 🇿🇦🔥
Langa came alive as the ICC World Test Champions shared their triumph with the people. 💚 #WozaNawe pic.twitter.com/Lhq9b2pYK4 — Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) July 30, 2025
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The latter has been nominated again for both the SA Cricketer of the Year and Test Cricketer of the Year award along with Bavuma.
Rabada has been equally sensational with the ball. The big fast bowler snaring 36 wickets at 29.78 and in the process became the fifth South African bowler to join the 300-wicket club in Tests.
His strike rate of 39.2, is the best among all the world's bowlers who have achieved this milestone.
Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj has also been nominated in both categories along with batter Ryan Rickleton.
Maharaj was even more prolific than Rabada, claiming 40 Test wickets at 20.57, while Rickelton enjoyed a stellar breakout season.
After being promoted to open the innings, the left-hander enjoyed a spectacular home summer with maiden Test century against Sri Lanka in Gqeberha before striking a 'big-daddy hundred' with a career-best 259 in the New Year Test against Pakistan at Newlands.
Proteas wicket-keeper Kyle Verreynne, who would go on to hit the winning runs in the WTC Final at Lord's, has also been nominated in the Test Cricketer of the Year category.
Throwing it back to the glitz, the glam, and the greatness! ✨🏏
The Proteas showed up and showed off at last year's Cricket South Africa Awards 🔥
Now we're just 1 week away from doing it all again. Celebrating the icons, the rising stars, and unforgettable moments of the… pic.twitter.com/TJDPvKfYLK — Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) July 24, 2025
Verreynne struck the most Test centuries of any Proteas batter over the adjudicating period, with tons against Bangladesh (114), Sri Lanka (105*) and Pakistan (100) for a sum total of 460 runs at an average of 46.
Last season's SA Cricketer of the Year Marco Jansen has also been nominated in the premier category again.
The awards will all be hotly contested after a year of stunning achievement for the Proteas Men's Test side.
"The CSA Awards are a celebration of excellence, perseverance and the undeniable spirit of South African cricket,' said CSA CEO Pholetsi Moseki.
'This past season, we witnessed history being made and barriers being broken, from our senior national teams reaching unprecedented global finals to our youth and domestic teams continuing to set the bar higher.
'We are proud to honour those who have inspired a nation and left an indelible mark on the game, and we look forward to celebrating these remarkable contributions on one of our sport's most prestigious nights."
CSA Test Player of the Year Nominees
Temba Bavuma, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Kyle Verreynne
SA Cricket Player of the Year Nominees
Temba Bavuma, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Ryan Rickelton, Kagiso Rabada
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