Temba Bavuma welcomes new faces but refuses to trade Proteas success

White-ball coach Rob Walter has been affording opportunities for plenty young and fresh faces in the national side of late, including handing a debut to teenage bowling protege Kwena Maphaka in the recent T20 series against West Indies.

For the coming two ODI series against the Afghans and Irish, as well as the T20s against the latter in the UAE – from 18 September to 7 October, Walters has again given maiden call-ups to Andile Simelane, Jason Smith, and Nqaba Peter, which Bavuma has welcomed, along with other non-regulars.

"For me, looking at the composition of the side, it's quite exciting. It's always nice to have new faces within the team, and really to see how the guys can fit in within our culture, and ultimately contribute from a skills point of view," said the skipper.

"So I think within the batting, there are some faces that we'd like to see there – like Toni [de Zorzi], obviously, continuing with his momentum and form.

"Stubbo [Tristan Stubbs] as well, I think he's really shone brightly for us in all the different formats – I think it's only in the ODI format that he hasn't done [well], and that's only from an opportunity point of view, so I'm really excited."

While building a bigger selection pool for Walters is completely understood and respected, Bavuma stressed that they cannot compromise on results.

"It's a tough one because I understand the bigger picture, in terms of widening the depth within the team, but in the same vein – I guess from a competitive point of view – winning is the main thing, that's why we train," he added.

"That, at least, is something that I'll be stressing within the team, that we can't allow our standards or level of excellence to drop within the team.

"With all the experimenting we do, we've got to make sure that we're still prioritising the results, and I think the onus and expectation on the younger guys coming in is that they're filling the boots of the guys who are the incumbents. 

"So, for me, winning will always be everything, but I understand the bigger pictures from the coaches' point of view – I guess, they're thinking of 2027 [Cricket World Cup] and widening that depth."

READ: Rob Walter has eye on Proteas future with latest selection