A calendar year runs return of 258 from 14 innings at an average of 19.8 isn't good enough for a frontline batsman.
If such a statistic can't graduate a player from franchise to Test cricket, it can't be enough to retain a Test spot.
On these poor numbers, Temba Bavuma had to be dropped. He's not the first or the last batsman whose poor form will get him jettisoned.
But his skin colour and transformation targets meant Bavuma's dropping is far from simple. For the second consecutive Test, the Proteas didn't meet the target of having two black African players in the match-day 11.
While numbers generally don't lie in cricket, it's not straightforward with SA sports, especially rugby and cricket, in which black representation at all levels remains a vexing question.
It's a complex matter Cricket SA haven't adequately dealt with to a point where they issued a statement yesterday reaffirming their commitment to transformation.
"Transformation in sport cannot be viewed in isolation of the deepening inequalities within society and as the sole responsibility of sport federations. There is a critical role that the various levels of government must play to bring about equity and fair opportunity to all South Africans," CSA president Chris Nenzani said in the statement.
"As far as our national representative teams are concerned the evaluation of the achievement of the targets over a year is meant to give team management the flexibility to select teams based on the unique match-to-match requirements and in line with obtaining objective realities."
Here's some of the reasons that make the dropping of a black player a thorny matter:
BAVUMA'S BATTING IMPORTANCE
Bavuma's batting average of 31.24 is a misleading one on two fronts. It represents underachievement, but also masks the selfless batting situations Bavuma's found himself in.
He looked comfortable as the team's firefighter as SA's batting repeatedly malfunctioned. It didn't allow him to bed in at the top of the order and make the big runs expected of a No 4. When he did move up the order, the runs didn't come.
While Bavuma assumed an important place in the team, runs are the currency that keep an individual in the team.
WHO CAN REPLACE TEMBA?
This is a question the current first-class setup can't answer from a black African perspective.
His skin colour and transformation targets meant Temba Bavuma's dropping is far from simple
The only other black African batsman who came remotely close to national selection is Dolphins captain Khaya Zondo.
However, he hasn't kicked the door down like Keegan Petersen did last season and also doesn't bat at three or where he can ask the critical questions.
Are there talented black batsmen coming through? Yes, but slowly. Sinethemba Qeshile and Wandile Makwetu have asked the necessary questions, but haven't had the necessary franchise longevity to press a Test case.
The black African batting numbers are thin, even though targets are firmly in place at franchise and three-day cricket level.
WHY IS BLACK REPRESENTATION IMPORTANT?
When Bavuma made his only Test ton against England at Newlands four years ago, it was hailed as a watershed moment.
It was and still remains the only Test hundred by a black South African batsman. Bavuma's inability to convert 50s into 100s remains a sticking point, but he's seen as the champion of black batting transformation.
The effects of representation have been clear with rugby despite the transformation issues that still linger at Super Rugby and Currie Cup level.
A nagging matter that refuses to disappear though is that black players always have to justify their inclusion with each game.
THE NEED TO TRANSFORM
Transformation and performance aren't mutually exclusive. A team can well be transformed and still do very well.
There's also many cases of excellent black rugby and cricket performances that have driven the national teams forward.
A team can well be transformed and still do very well
Proteas captain Faf du Plessis was right when he said Bavuma needs the weight of runs to force his way back into the team.
That's something that has to apply to all the players. There's also the return to play policy with players who were injured slotting straight back into the team when they return.
As the Bavuma matter has shown, it's tricky when a player is out of form and the one who has come in steps up to the plate.
It's a policy that in the past has been very clear, but it must not be applied selectively. That's the lesson Proteas team director Mark Boucher and the rest of the selectors will have to take out of this matter.
Selection can be tricky but in this case it was clear. However, the grey matter will always remain when it comes to transformation at the highest level and its application.
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