Retired cricketer Herschelle Gibbs has clapped back at calls for him to apologise to Proteas captain Temba Bavuma, based on his past criticism of the player.
Bavuma led the national cricket team to a historic victory at the ICC World Test Championships over the weekend.
Over the years, the squad’s first test captain has repeatedly come under fire over his performances on the pitch and allegations that he was appointed as part of sporting racial quotas.
HERSCHELLE GIBBS CLAPS BACK AT CRITICISM OVER TEMBA BAVUMA
Like many South Africans, Herschelle Gibbs congratulated the Proteas for their historic WTC win at Lords in London on Saturday, 15 June.
He posted on his X account: “Well done @ProteasMenCSA .. everything went right from the toss already .. enjoy the celebrations”
While Herschelle did not single out a player in his post, many cricket fans claimed his post should have congratulated captain Temba Bavuma.
In recent years, the outspoken retired cricketer has been vocal about his criticism of the national cricket team’s performance, particularly that of Bavuma.
X user @Chorky_Seane replied: “You’ve dedicated the past few years to disrespecting Temba Bavuma, so I need the praise and respect to be as loud as the disrespect”.
Herschelle cheekily responded: “Who the f**k made you god!”
Image via X: @hershybru
Another – @SikhoPhilani – posted about Herschelle Gibbs: “He thinks we have forgotten how he is always happy when the team loses!”, to which the 51-year-old responded in a slew of profanities.
‘SHOULDN’T HAVE MADE THE SQUAD’
Herschelle Gibbs’s criticism of Temba Bavuma has not gone unnoticed by cricket fans.
In 2023, a sports enthusiast compared the two players, claiming that Bavuma had a better strike rate than the retired player. An annoyed Herschelle responded: “Talk to me when he reaches 35 international 100s. Until then, take a permanent holiday on Twitter [now X]. Bye now.”
In 2024, Hershelle controversially told an X user that Temba Bavuma “shouldn’t have been in the T20 squad to start off.”
Earlier this year, Herschelle rubbished the Proteas captain again on his X account.
“Which Bavuma were you watching?” he asked another follower.
Herschelle Gibbs – who has played alongside icons like Jonty Rhodes and the late Hansie Cronje – retired from playing in 2010.
He was hailed for multiple records and achievements, including being one of only ten batsmen in ODI history to score hundreds in three consecutive innings.
He has now taken up cricket coaching and presenting.
TEMBA BAVUMA CALLS FOR UNITY
In a post-match interview over the weekend, Temba Bavuma subtly responded to criticism of the team and his own appointment as captain, which has often been referred to as a “quota pick.”
He said: “We have prepared hard for this, we have worked hard for this moment. We came here with a lot of belief but also with a lot of doubters, and we are happy that we were able to play well enough to get that type of result”.
He continued: “For us as a country, here’s an opportunity for us, as divided as we are at times, to forget all of that, to rejoice in this moment and just be on.e”
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