On Sunday the Proteas, who were considered favourites earlier in the week, were eliminated through a shock 13-run defeat to the Netherlands in Adelaide.

This sees the Proteas having to return home, while Mark Boucher's rocky tenure as the coach has come to an end.

Bavuma feels that now is not quite the right time to step down as the skipper.

“It's been a tricky time,” Bavuma said.

“To be considering quitting now - a lot of it will be emotional, in terms of my role as captain within the team. It's something I will think about. I will speak to the relevant people.

“We have to see who comes in as a coach. Generally, when you have changes like that, they might come in with a different style.

“They might find a different leader to execute whatever vision or style of play that they have. It will be emotional now if I think about all of that. And if I were to leave, I would leave with my pride intact.”

Bavuma added that this was a new-generation team that came so close to reaching the knockout round, the chokers tag will stay with the team until the day South Africa manages to win a World Cup at senior level.

“I think it will always be there until we find ourselves in a situation where we get to the final and we actually come out on the right side of that result. We have nothing to blame. Everything was in our hands,” he said.

“It is disappointing for all of us. The most disappointing thing was that we didn't get over the line when we had to. When it mattered we could not do business. We will still carry that monkey on our backs.”

Meanwhile, the Proteas will return to Australia next month for a three-Test series against the Baggy Greens. Malibongwe Maketa has been appointed as the Proteas interim coach for the Test series Down Under.

Morgan Piek/OFM Sport