Temba Bavuma matches Faf du Plessis with 5 ODI tons as South Africa captain

Temba Bavuma scored 103 runs off 116 balls in the second ODI against Australia at The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg on September 27, 2026, reaching his fifth ODI century as South Africa captain and equalling Faf du Plessis’s tally in that role.

Bavuma’s knock contained 10 fours and 2 sixes. South Africa were already leading the 2026-27 ODI series 1-0 heading into the second match, and his innings helped the home side build a strong position in the game.

A key feature of Bavuma’s innings was a 156-run fourth-wicket partnership with David Miller. That stand is the highest ODI partnership for South Africa against Australia in matches played on home soil, underlining how central both batters were to the innings at The Wanderers. Bavuma’s measured approach across 116 balls allowed him to anchor the innings while Miller provided the acceleration needed to push the partnership past previous records, making the stand a landmark moment in the series.

How does Bavuma’s record compare among South Africa captains?

With five ODI centuries as captain, Bavuma now stands level with Faf du Plessis, who also scored five hundreds while leading South Africa in the format. The two are currently joint-third on the all-time list for South Africa captains in ODIs.

Above them sits Graeme Smith, who scored eight ODI centuries as captain of South Africa, placing him second on that list. The record for most ODI centuries as South Africa captain belongs to AB de Villiers, who accumulated 13 hundreds during his time leading the side.

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Bavuma’s achievement at The Wanderers therefore places him alongside du Plessis in the record books, with Smith and de Villiers the only South Africa captains to have scored more ODI centuries in the role. The milestone reflects Bavuma’s consistency as a run-scorer at the top of the order while carrying the added responsibility of captaincy.

What is the significance of the Bavuma-Miller partnership record?

The 156-run fourth-wicket stand between Bavuma and Miller is the highest ODI partnership for South Africa against Australia in home conditions. The record highlights how the two batters combined to take the innings deep and set a demanding total for the visitors at The Wanderers.

The partnership record adds another layer of significance to Bavuma’s century, as it came not only as a personal milestone but also as part of a record-breaking stand for South Africa in this fixture. Both records, the individual century tally and the partnership mark, were set in the same innings on September 27, 2026.

South Africa’s 1-0 series lead coming into the second ODI provided the context for a match in which Bavuma’s century and the Bavuma-Miller stand proved to be the defining contributions from the home side.