Johannesburg - Temba Bavuma has always had his critics, but on Saturday at the Wanderers he silenced them, momentarily at least. 

Bavuma was world class as he batted the Proteas into an almost unassailable position as they were eventually dismissed for 488 in the first innings. 

When Morne Morkel was out first ball to bring the innings to an end, Bavuma was left stranded at the other end on 95*.

It was a gutting moment for the 27-year-old, who has not scored a Test century since January 2016 against England at Newlands. 

READ: Bavuma: Morkel more upset than I was

That remains Bavuma's only Test century, but he has now notched up 10 half-centuries along the way. 

Saturday's knock has elevated Bavuma's Test average to 34.00, but his performance on day two suggested that he is better than those numbers suggest. 

Bavuma showed patience and discipline - he scored just one run in the first hour of play - but once he got going he never looked back. 

What stood out most was perhaps his ability to score all around the wicket. He driving was superb when the ball was overpitched while he worked off-spinner Nathan Lyon through the off and on sides. When the Aussie quicks went short, Bavuma showed that he has no problems hooking and pulling, either.

Yet, because of the colour of his skin and South Africa's transformation targets in the national team, Bavuma has a harder task than most when trying to convince detractors that he belongs. 

Now, 29 matches into his Test career, Bavuma has stopped entertaining such thoughts.

"They should keep going," Bavuma said of his critics.

"For some people, those things put them down. For others, it fires them up, and I think I'm one of those people.

"Everyone has critics - I'm sure AB de Villiers has some critics - but it doesn't change the person that I am. Whether you think I'm a good player or a bad player, I'm not going to lose sleep on it."

Bavuma added that he does not question whether or not he is good enough to play Test cricket.

"Looking at my career and what I have done for the team, there's other areas I can take comfort and confidence from," he said in response to his lack of Test tons.

"It's not like I second-guess my position. I know that I have done enough to push for a position.

"In a selfish way, I want to have more hundreds, but I will take my career as it has panned out."