Temba Bavuma issues open invite to 'big three' Test cricket nations

The current World Test Championship cycle has seen Shukri Conrad's charges win eight of their 12 matches against six opponents, while the likes of England, India, and Australia have enjoyed 22, 19, and 17 matches respectively – including several five-match series against one another.

With the Proteas engaged only in two-match series, Bavuma is now hoping their current form will attract the big three to engage in five-match series when they meet one another in the next cycle from July 2025 - 2027.

"I think we hope the way we've played, the performances makes it attractive for other teams to want to come and play here in South Africa, but also play a higher number of matches in the series," said Bavuma.

"I think Test cricket is alive and kicking, the guys are super keen about Test cricket, and the fact that there's a trophy to play for [in the World Test Championship final] obviously creates a big incentive about it.

"And the fact that we were also able to fill the stadiums – looking at Centurion and now at Newlands, I think that speaks positively to where Test cricket is within the country.

"So, we'd love to play a lot more and hopefully there's appetite and interest from other teams that want to come and play in South Africa."

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On the special character and camaraderie shown throughout the past few series, where multiple individual players have stepped up for the team, Bavuma says there's certainly something brewing in the dressing room.

"I think there is something special that's brewing amongst the team, a lot of guys have said that – I've heard KG [Rabada] say that, I've heard Keshav [Maharaj] say that," he added.

"But I can't really pinpoint what it is, but I think it's quite evident from the outside – people speak about it a certain brotherhood that kind of emanates from the team.

"The guys on the field, we back and fight for each other, and I guess there's a strong sense of belief that someone on the day will do it for the team, whether it be with the bat or the ball.

"For me, captaining [the team] is stressful at times, when we go through those tricky phases, but also enjoyable and satisfying when we're able to come out on top, so yeah, I think any team that's winning, there's obviously a lot of fun."

South Africa's next match will be against Australia in the ICC World Test Championship final at Lords from 11-15 June 2025.