Bavuma made a batting, and from time to time punchy, 171 no longer out in a South African 2nd innings overall of 287 for seven, an total lead of 356.
It used to be an emotional second for Bavuma when he hit Alzarri Joseph Over duvet for his 14th boundary to succeed in his hundred, greater than seven years after he made his first Test century.
He took off his helmet, leaped into the air and brandished his bat in a salute as a small crowd rose to present him a status ovation.
The South African captain went directly to play with freedom. After attaining 3 figures off 192 balls, he went directly to 171 off 275 deliveries. He hit 20 fours.
Bavuma, 32, made his maiden hundred in his 7th Test and his 8th Test innings in a high-scoring draw towards England at Newlands in Cape Town in January 2016.
Since then he had performed in every other 48 Tests and batted in 88 extra innings with out repeating the feat in spite of hitting 19 half-centuries.
South Africa’s maximum dependable batsman during the last two years, Bavuma used to be appointed captain earlier than the primary Test towards the West Indies – and used to be out for a ‘pair’.
He got here in on Friday together with his crew in bother at 8 for 2.
It used to be a protracted fight as he collected a 107-ball half-century whilst companions struggled and succumbed towards good-quality West Indian bowling.
They have been 103 for 5, a precarious 172 runs forward, when Bavuma used to be joined by way of Wiaan Mulder, one in all a number of South African batsmen but to end up themselves at most sensible stage.
By tea, South Africa had scored handiest 145 for 5 off 59 overs however the pace modified when Mulder hit 3 fours off Kemar Roach in the second one over after the period.
Mulder made 42 in a 103-run partnership which sped up additional after Bavuma reached his century.
Mulder holed out to deep sq. leg however by way of then South Africa have been ready of relative protection. Twenty-one overs between tea and the taking of the second one new ball yielded 98 runs for the lack of Mulder’s wicket.
Simon Harmer joined Bavuma in every other productive partnership, making 19 whilst Bavuma scored freely because the pair added 71 for the 7th wicket.
Harmer fell past due within the day, leg earlier than to a Jason Holder supply that shot via low and hit him under the knee roll.
It used to be the primary inkling that the pitch, which hasn’t posed any nice issues, could be a special beast within the fourth innings.
South Africa are in the hunt for as giant a lead as conceivable, alternatively, as there may be worry concerning the health of Kagiso Rabadaone in all handiest two rapid bowlers picked by way of the hosts.
Rabada bowled fantastically within the first innings, taking two for 19 in 12 overs, however didn’t bowl after tea on the second one afternoon and used to be reportedly affected by a sore again.
There has been no legitimate affirmation of an harm however Bavuma will likely be happy to have the additional runs to play with as he makes an attempt to steer South Africa to a 2-0 collection win.