Temba Bavuma says he will relinquish the Proteas’ white-ball captaincy “if the team wants to go in a different direction”.
Bavuma was speaking ahead of the Proteas’ three-match ODI series against England, which starts in Bloemfontein on Friday.
South Africa need to win the series 3-0 and their two remaining matches of the series against the Netherlands (that was halted by Covid in November 2021) to ensure direct qualification for this year’s World Cup in India.
“I’ve said to the guys if they still want me to lead then I am happy to do it,” Bavuma said when asked about the captaincy on Thursday.
“I’ve never made it about me, it’s always been about the team. Whenever the team hasn’t performed well, I’ve always tried to shield the guys, and when the team has done well, I don’t think you’ve ever heard me say it’s about me and I and all that.
“If the team wants to go a different direction with a different leader then I am happy to step away,” he added. ‘We have a new coach now [Rob Walter], and ultimately it’s up to him.
“The coach will have his vision and will need somebody to drive that vision. At the moment the coach has entrusted me with that role [as captain] with the 50-over stuff.
“I will continue doing my best. I’m fortunate I have got a bunch of guys who support me through hell and back. For me it’s business as usual, for now.”
