South Africa's Test captain, Temba Bavuma, has openly admitted to experiencing "a bit of jealousy" while watching the Ashes 2025 series unfold between Australia and England. Bavuma's sentiment stems from the disparity in the number of Test matches allocated to different series, with the Ashes retaining its prestigious five-Test format while South Africa is limited to a two-Test series against India.

Bavuma made his comments ahead of the second Test against India in Guwahati. He expressed that waking up and watching the Ashes, knowing that Australia and England were engaged in a five-match series, evoked a sense of envy. He hopes that in the near future, South Africa will have the opportunity to play longer series, particularly against formidable teams like India.

The disparity in Test series lengths is often attributed to the financial viability of cricket nations. Commercially successful series like the Ashes, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (India vs Australia), and the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy (India vs England) are typically five-match affairs. In contrast, series involving South Africa, New Zealand, West Indies, or Bangladesh often consist of only two Test matches.

Bavuma clarified that players have limited influence over the scheduling of Test matches. He noted that the Future Tours Programme often restricts longer series for the Proteas. He voiced the frustration that many of his teammates feel about this situation.

The South African captain believes that consistent strong performances on the field could attract more extended series opportunities in the future. He stated that playing good cricket will encourage top cricketing nations to want to play more against South Africa.

Bavuma's comments highlight a broader concern within the South African cricket community regarding the limited exposure and opportunities for Test cricket. Two-Test series can increase the likelihood of drawn results compared to longer formats, and they might not fully capture the competitive spirit between top teams. Bavuma suggested that a three-Test series would be ideal, providing fans with the chance to witness compelling cricket and a clear victor.

Despite the frustrations surrounding the length of Test series, Bavuma remains focused on the present. South Africa is currently playing a two-match Test series against India. The team secured a 30-run victory in the first Test in Kolkata, marking their first Test win in India after 15 years. Bavuma and his team are aiming to capitalize on this momentum and secure their second Test series victory in India, a feat they last achieved in 2000 under Hansie Cronje's leadership.

Looking ahead, South Africa's schedule includes a tour of England in September 2025, featuring three ODIs and three T20Is. They will also tour Pakistan in October-November 2025 for two Tests, three ODIs, and three T20Is. In the 2025/26 home season, South Africa will host West Indies for five T20Is, and both the men's and women's teams will play against Ireland and Pakistan in T20I and ODI series.