IT TOOK 226 Tests since readmission for a black South African batsman to make a century.

The fact it came from the willow Temba Bavuma at Newlands – just minutes away from where he grew up in a disadvantaged area of Cape Town – made the knock even more significant.

In many respects Bavuma is a trail blazer. He’s Makhaya Ntini, only better with the bat, worse with the ball, and 15cm shorter.

For South African sport, he’s more than just a cricketer. But right now in Australia, the 26-year-old’s cricket will do the talking.

He made 51 runs in four innings for South Africa A against Australia A in Townsville August, but responded with a maiden one-day hundred against Ireland shortly after.

He’s used to having his back against the wall and the Australian quicks will be giving him no leeway this summer.

His story is remarkable and with potentially a decade or more remaining his career, this tour could be another chapter in the Temba Bavuma story.

All is set for our day/night 2 day warm up game at the Adelaide Oval #proteas #adelaideoval #pinkball #daynight A photo posted by Temba Bavuma (@tbavuma10) on Oct 21, 2016 at 4:50am PDT

FROM DREAM TO REALITY

Sporting dreams do come true.

Born in Langa, Cape Town’s oldest township, Bavuma grew up watching an almost exclusively white cricket team travel the world. He idolised Thami Tsolekile and Malusi Siboto, both of whom have played for South Africa in recent years and also come from Langa.

As a 10-year-old at SACS Junior School in Cape Town, Bavuma dreamt of playing for his country.

It didn’t matter that his primary school had poor facilities, or that no black African specialist batsman had ever represented the Proteas despite nearly 80% of the country’s population being black.

In a year six project titled ‘Where I see myself in 15 years’, the pupil wrote how he longed to one day represent the Proteas.

In the end of year magazine, Bavuma was lauded for his cricketing prowess after playing in the regional tournament held in Stellenbosch “where he made 10 runs and took one wicket.”

Bavuma as a 10-year-old Source: FOX SPORTS

‘A QUOTA PLAYER’

Now that South African cricket has committed to transformation targets, white and black players will be under increased pressure to perform.

Keyboard warriors were critical of Bavuma’s selection to play the West Indies in December 2014. At the time he had a first-class average of 36 and had hardly set the world alight. The most vicious critique suggested he was a ‘quota player,’ purely selected because of the colour of his skin rather than the potential or talent he had.

While the transformation targets still exist (54 per cent of players must be black and a minimum of 18 per cent must be African black across a season and all formats), it no longer clouds Bavuma’s reputation. He has made a name for himself in his own right, with an average nudging 40 from 11 Tests, including a ton against England in Cape Town earlier this year.

Admittedly, the closely monitored quota targets the selectors must adhere to make it harder to drop him, but at the moment he’s clearly in South Africa’s best six specialist batsmen.

The positive byproduct of this government-enforced policy is that young disadvantaged South African’s look up to Bevuma (if only just, because of his height) and aspire to emulate him. As Bavuma had with Ntini, they have a role model amid crippling poverty.

Between readmission in 1991 and Bavuma’s Test debut in December 2014, South Africa fielded just five black African players. Indeed from Ntini’s retirement in 2009 to Bavuma’s selection, the number was zero.

“When I made my debut I came to be aware of the significance; it was not just me making my debut but also being a model for black African kids to aspire to,” Bavuma said after his maiden Test ton in Cape Town.

“In achieving this milestone, it will strengthen that example.

“When I go back to Langa, I know I will have those kids running up to me.”

Temba Bavuma. Source: FOX SPORTS

THE SHORT BALL

At 167cm, Bavuma is just two centimetres taller than diminutive Zimbabwean gloveman Tatenda Taibu.

As a result, even balls that pitch back of a length are like to rear up towards his throat at the WACA. Not that this concerns Bavuma, who has become accustomed to discussion about his stature.

“If they do start using the short ball, I know have a slight advantage over them because they can’t bowl me out that way,” Bavuma said when he was introduced to the Australian press.

“The majority of my play is on the back foot so backfoot play does become an area of expertise, as opposed to playing on the front foot.”

Indeed a ‘short ball’ for most batsmen would sail directly over Bavuma’s helmet for a wide. Just as Australia’s bowlers had to adjust to Kevin Peitersen’s long stride in his pomp, they’ll have to accommodate Bavuma’s lack of physical presence this summer.

“I don’t actually get a lot of short balls,” he said.

“When we played England last year, they never really targeted me with the short ball when I thought they would. But whatever comes my way, I will be ready for it.”

Bavuma’s lack of height will also work against him. It means almost any ball that hits him on the pads will be hitting the stumps – or at least not going over them. There is no ‘knee-roll’ rule with Bavuma.

Similarly, he won’t be able to get that important big stride in that other batsmen can.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Bavuma’s game does not depend on power or even sweet timing like many of his teammates.

His ability to bat long periods of time, frustrate the bowlers and finesse the ball makes him a difficult player to dislodge.

He’s been short of runs so far on this tour, making 11 and 21 against the CA XI and just 43 versus a second string South African XI last week.

He will almost certainly bat at No.6 in the first Test, however he could be a back-up opener if Stephen Cook continues his poor tour.

Bavuma opened against India in Delhi last year and was bowled in both innings for 22 and 34 respectively.

He’s unlikely to tear the Australian attack apart. But as an accumulator, he could prove to be a frustrating thorn in Steve Smith’s ambition. Rock solid on the back foot, Australia would be best advised to get him driving.

He will also field at short leg.

BAVUMA BY THE NUMBERS

Tests: 11

HS: 102*

Average: 39.75

100s: 1

50s: 2

Catches: 5

Age: 26

Other teams: Gauteng, South Africa A