Despite battling poor form and a hamstring injury, South Africa captain Temba Bavuma pushed himself through a lengthy training session ahead of their crucial World Cup semi-final clash against Australia. While most of his teammates opted for the optional training on Monday, Bavuma, with a strapped right thigh, was determined to get some practice in. He engaged in fitness drills, ran laps around the outfield, and simulated running between the wickets, gradually increasing his pace.

Bavuma’s discomfort was evident at times, prompting him to seek guidance from team physio Sizwe Hadebe and strength and conditioning coach Runeshan Moodley. After a thorough warm-up, he headed to the nets for a batting session using a single stump and his bat. He faced the bowlers for about 30 minutes.

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Following the practice session, Bavuma left in a private car, possibly for a scan. The team management refrained from providing any updates on his injury status.

Temba Bavuma puts dodgy hamstring to test in South Africa’s optional training session #trending #latestnews https://t.co/U6E4t4bbRp

— Nouman Zafar (@ffoo055512) November 14, 2023

Temba Bavuma missed matches against England and Bangladesh due to his injury, and Aiden Markram captained the side in his absence. The hamstring injury is believed to have occurred during the match against Afghanistan, forcing him off the field nine balls into their innings.

Despite his discomfort, Bavuma returned after four overs to avoid a time penalty, but his movements were noticeably hindered as he fielded cautiously at mid-off. He managed just 23 off 28 balls in that match.

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Bavuma’s batting form has also been a concern in this tournament. He has a highest score of 35 in seven innings at an average of 20.71 and a strike rate of 75.12. Despite the challenges, Bavuma’s determination to train and contribute to the team’s cause is commendable. His presence and leadership will be crucial for South Africa’s chances of upsetting Australia in the semi-final.