Temba Bavuma injury update: Medical team says ‘too much risk’ to allow batting in first innings

Opting to bowl in the Boxing Day Test match at Centurion, South Africa bowled out India for 245 by the second morning as KL Rahul made 101 and Kagiso Rabada claimed 5-59.

Early in the Indian innings, South African captain Temba Bavuma left the ground with an injured left hamstring, and did not return until India were bowled out. Dean Elgar, playing in his final Test series, stepped in as captain.

South Africa batted until the third afternoon to post 408, securing a lead of 163. Elgar made 185 of these runs, while Jasprit Bumrah returned 4-69. As the ninth wicket fell, there was some hope of Bavuma emerging, for Marco Jansen was batting on 84, and was in sight of a maiden Test hundred.

However, Bavuma did not come out to bat, and the South African innings was declared closed at that point. The South African medical team subsequently posted an update on his injury status on X (formerly Twitter).

“Following continuous medical assessments, it was determined that there was too much of a risk of aggravating his [Bavuma’s] left hamstring injury had he gone out to bat at this stage of the game,” they said. “The medical team are managing him to give him the best chance to bat should he be required in the 4th innings.”

🟢TEMBA BAVUMA UPDATE🟡

Following continuous medical assessments, it was determined that there was too much of a risk of aggravating his left hamstring injury had he gone out to bat at this stage of the game 🏏 🇿🇦

The medical team are managing him to give him the best chance to… pic.twitter.com/Bx3bZVhUB3

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) December 28, 2023

At the time of writing, India are reeling at 105-6 in the second innings, with Virat Kohli (55) and Shardul Thakur (2) at the crease. They need another 58 to make South Africa bat again, so Bavuma may not be required to bat again.

However, at this point, there is no update on Bavuma’s availability for the New Year’s Test match at Newlands, Cape Town.