“We Were Never Chokers”: How Temba Bavuma Led South Africa to Rewrite Their Cricketing Legacy

For an eternity, “chokers” has been a slur for South African cricket. It travelled with South Africa, following them across the globe – waiting in every ICC knockout match, lurking in the corners of every game, hanging, as it were, like the proverbial elephant in the room – everyone was well aware of it, no one was willing to make eye contact with it, which made it more difficult because there was a conversation about it.

But at the 2025 World Test Championship Final at Lord’s, South Africa did not simply beat Australia; they broke the shackles of a 27-year-old inheritance. And when captain Temba Bavuma said – “Chokers was not our tag to carry” – it was not merely a comeback. It was a full circle moment for a team that had found its voice, where the events defined its spine – and its most important victory.

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The Weight of a Word: Why “Chokers” Cut So Deep

The name “chokers” was not just an insult; it was virtually a profane word. The South African cricketing experience is laden with so many distinct and demonstrable examples of gut-wrenching misery. The semi-final in the 1999 World Cup. The crushing disappointment of 2015. Fans knew it. Critics loved it. Opponents were inspired by it.

But Bavuma’s South Africa had a different energy. They didn’t walk into Lord’s with history weighing heavily upon them. They walked in with belief—and a plan. What made Bavuma’s post-match comments hit so hard wasn’t just considering they won—it was how they won. Calmly, methodically, and without drama. They didn’t flinch in the pressurized situations.

Silence, Strategy, Success: Inside Bavuma’s Winning Mindset

Bavuma may not have been the loudest member of the group, but the way to led by example during this WTC final was unmatched. The WTC final was not only about skills, style, and pace of play; it was about temperament, and Bavuma was the most evident example of leading by example by scoring 66 in the second innings of a match, perhaps only he thought could go either way.

Most importantly, he became the leader responsible for cultivating a team energy that doesn’t panic. That relentless mentality of “the harder we knock, the doors will open” was on display in every session. This team was not waiting for Australia to collapse; whether it was Kagiso Rabada bowling fiery spells or Aiden Markram remaining composed, this team didn’t wait; they made it happen.

Homecoming and Healing: The Real Impact of the Win

The event in Johannesburg was not just a victory parade, but a collective sigh of relief. A country that has lived and breathed sport and experienced every possible high and low, this was a personal win for us all. Supporters descended on the airport in their thousands. Bavuma reflected on the moment, saying, “It was quite a lot to take in.”

South Africa’s triumph at Lord’s isn’t merely thought of as a Test match victory; it is seen as a change in the tide of culture. It was an escape from a label that this generation of cricketers never truly accepted. In that moment, Temba Bavuma didn’t just lift a trophy; he lifted a nation, losing the baggage of decades of doubt simply by saying, “Chokers was not our tag to carry.”

And here’s the real question for all fans of cricket: Are we done creating historical narratives and prepared to examine teams as the teams they are?

So, can we agree to retire the “chokers” tag? South African cricket is certainly over it. Perhaps we should be, too.