In the end, the unbeaten partnership between Jansen and Rabada of 51 was enough for South Africa to beat Pakistan by two wickets and enter the final of the WTC for the first time.
“I was in the toilet to be honest, I only came out when we needed about 15 runs,” said Bavuma.
“I didn’t know what to say to Marco [Jansen] and KG [Kagiso Rabada] and KG sits next to me. But among the other boys, there was confidence and belief.
“I am not really an emotional type of person but I found myself taken aback by the emotions. So, I was hiding in the toilet, that’s where I was. When we needed about 15 runs, I could hear the guys shouting and the way Kyle [Verreynne] was shouting it was positive shouts. I said let me come and show my head.”
There was no place to hide for coach Conrad and he convened a meeting with Jansen and Rabada where he told them to back themselves.
“I can’t tell you the honest truth but the three of us, myself, Marco and KG share something in common and that is the vice. When we were sitting in the corner at the back of the dressing room, the only thing I said to them was whatever decision you are going to take as to how you want to go about your business, go with it throughout.
“And if we get closer, I don’t t want you to pull out and start fiddling around but back yourself. I said ‘whichever way you want to play go balls to the wall If we are to get close, keep on doing what you set out to do.’ That is as much as the conversation was.”
The other major talking point of the match was how Bavuma walked back to the pavilion even though he didn’t edge the ball as per UltraEdge and he explained he didn’t know until the post-match press conference.
“I only heard during the post-match interview from Pommie [Mbangwa], I think I got absorbed in the moment. A bit of an audacious shot if I could say it. It is not the first time it has happened, I don’t think people should be surprised.”
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