Ken Borland

Matthew Boast

One of the clutch of new players being groomed to be stars at SuperSport Park, Matthew Boast is a lively pace bowler and useful lower-order batsman who hits the ball hard. Educated at Hilton College in KwaZulu-Natal Inland, Boast then joined Tuks and was a key member of the SA U19 team in the 2022 Junior World Cup.

His potential was shown when he was bought by the Pretoria Capitals as a rookie for a whopping R1.6 million for the second season of the SA20. Boast played one first-class match, taking four wickets, and three 50-over games, claiming five wickets, for the Titans last season. He will turn 22 in February.

Keegan Petersen

Having lost his place in the Proteas Test team, Keegan Petersen has decided to reignite his career by moving from his birthplace in Paarl to join the brilliant cricket therapists at the Titans. There is a proud tradition of batsmen from the Western Cape coming to stay at SuperSport Park and scoring plenty of runs.

Having played a starring role in South Africa’s epic series win over India in 2021/22, Petersen played just three Tests last summer and had his struggles domestically for Boland as well. But he showed his enduring class in the One-Day Cup, scoring 383 runs at an average of 76.60 and a strike-rate of 82.01, with a century and three fifties.

A gutsy cricketer who is always up for a challenge, Petersen has always worked diligently on his batting, and even though he is 31 years old now, he is still learning and growing his game. Technically sound, Petersen’s highly-esteemed strokeplay is always worth a watch as he massages the ball around the field, but he also has great resilience.

Corbin Bosch

Corbin Bosch adheres to the principle of going hard whether it is with ball or bat, making him one of the Titans’ most valuable all-rounders, particularly in the white-ball formats.

The 30-year-old has developed into a reliable lower-order batsman, and he was especially good in first-class cricket last season, averaging 42.75 and taking his tally of career half-centuries to eight.

But the Durban-born Tuks product first made his name as a mean and nasty fast bowler, who often creates pressure and wickets for the bowler at the other end. Bosch has followed in the footsteps of his late father Tertius, a bowler of great pace for Northerns who played a Test and two ODIs for South Africa in 1992.

Corbin Bosch enjoyed an excellent T20 campaign for the Titans last season, playing in 13 matches and taking 13 wickets, while conceding just 7.33 runs-per-over.

Neil Brand

Half-a-dozen seasons of consistency at the Titans with both bat and ball earned Neil Brand reward last season when he made his Test debut for South Africa, and was given the honour of captaining the team on their tour of New Zealand.

Although Brand did not fare as well as he usually does with the bat for the Titans last season, he showed his adaptability as a cricketer when he moved into the middle-order for the CSA T20 Challenge and did a fine job, averaging 34.83 and scoring at a strike-rate of 130.62.

He made a considerable contribution with the ball throughout the season, though, his left-arm spin netting him 12 wickets in four red-ball matches at an average of just 16.75, while he was tough to score off in the white-ball formats with economy rates of 5.25 in one-day cricket and 6.83 in the T20s.

Generally a top-order batsman, Brand will be relied upon again this season to get the Titans on the front foot, while his bowling has also earned respect.

Dewald Brevis

The weight of expectation on young Dewald Brevis, the 2022 U19 World Cup Player of the Tournament, does not stunt the growth of his game as his second full season of senior cricket saw him once again produce several moments of great skill and daring.

He came of age in four-day cricket, averaging 40.63 with two centuries, and he also made two hundreds in one-day cricket, averaging 53.14 at a strike-rate of 97.89 as he collected 372 runs, the most for the Titans.

The maker of the highest individual score by a South African in T20 cricket – his breakthrough 162 off just 57 balls for the Titans against the Knights in 2022/23 – only played three matches in the shortest format for the franchise last season, due to his IPL commitments.

His two 50-over centuries were contrasting efforts: Brevis made 100 off only 80 balls against the Dragons, and also scored 116 off 118 deliveries, out of a total of 217, the Titans having lost their first three wickets with just one run on the board, against Western Province.

The 21-year-old’s maiden four-day hundred (110) came in the thrilling win over the Warriors, and he then scored 113 a week later in a victory over the Dragons in Potchefstroom. Those back-to-back displays really attracted attention and the further development of this precocious, massive talent will be eagerly watched this season.

Junior Dala

If ever there was a player who you could choose to represent the ultimate professional, then Junior Dala would be your man. Supremely fit, willing to charge in all day and constantly growing his skills with both ball and bat, Dala was the leading wicket-taker for the Titans in the four-day competition, taking 23 in just four matches at an excellent average of only 22.47. His six for 58, and nine wickets in the match, against the Lions at SuperSport Park almost bowled the Titans into the final.

Capped a dozen times for South Africa in white-ball cricket, Dala initially played for Gauteng and Easterns, but joined the Titans in 2013. His outstanding resilience and athleticism have now been complemented by great clarity in terms of game-plan, and this affable stalwart of Titans cricket will no doubt continue to be a key strike bowler this season.

Donovan Ferreira

Born and bred in Pretoria, Ferreira got off the mark in international cricket with a second-ball six, which epitomises the boldness of his batting. But the 26-year-old is way more than just a hard-hitting basher: Ferreira is a nice package across the board as a cricketer – an adept finisher but someone who is also crossing over with success into four-day cricket, a handy off-spinner and a part-time wicketkeeper.

Having been plucked out of civilian life as a salesman by Titans coach Mandla Mashimbyi, Ferreira continues to grow his game and is now a sought-after player in leagues across the world.

Ferreira hammered 353 runs in seven innings, at an average of 58.83 and a strike-rate of 137.35 for the Momentum Multiply Titans in the One-Day Cup, ensuring a positive end to most innings. He collected 18 sixes during the competition, more than anyone else.

He showed his bowling prowess by taking 10 wickets in the four-day match against North-West in Potchefstroom, while his brave 96 against Western Province at Newlands was his red-ball batting highlight.

Dayyaan Galiem

After being named the Titans’ 2019/20 Player of the Season, Galiem has had terrible misfortune with injuries. Nevertheless, he keeps popping up with crucial contributions with both bat and ball, and in all three formats. As a bowler, the all-rounder has lively pace and swings the ball prodigiously, making him a real handful when conditions are conducive. Galiem is also a very capable batsman down the order, as shown by his average of 23.82 for the Titans in four-day cricket, while his strong hitting has seen him employed in a finishing role in white-ball cricket. Alongside Donovan Ferreira, he famously steered the Titans to the CSA T20 Challenge title in 2022/23 with a top-class, matchwinning, unbeaten effort with the bat, while last season he had a strike-rate of 152.63 with the bat in the same competition to show his ability to punish attacks.

Sibonelo Makhanya

Very pleasing on the eye whether as a strokeplayer or when dashing around the field, Sibs Makhanya was one of the Titans’ most consistent batsmen last season in both four-day cricket and the T20 competition.

He had a marvellous T20 tournament, scoring 348 runs, second only to Rivaldo Moonsamy for the Titans, at a strike-rate of 132.82 and he passed 50 three times, more than any other Titans batsman. He shone as a true middle-order entertainer, bringing great urgency, quick running between the wickets and tremendous improvisation and skill to the crease, as well as being one of the best fielders in the competition.

In first-class cricket, he notched four half-centuries, averaging 31.75 for the campaign.

Makhanya was a member of Aiden Markram’s 2014 junior world cup winning team and has also been a popular captain of the Titans.

Rivaldo Moonsamy

The wicketkeeper/batsman was on fire last season on his return to the Momentum Multiply Titans, being their leading run-scorer in both the four-day and T20 competitions. Moonsamy averaged an impressive 48.72 against the red ball, scoring 536 runs which included hundreds against the Warriors and the Dolphins. He also more than earned his bread in the T20 competition, lashing 428 runs at a dazzling strike-rate of 136.30.

Moonsamy was named the Titans’ Men’s Player of the Year in a triumphant return to the province after two seasons away with Northern Cape. A born-and-bred Pretoria product, Moonsamy is from Laudium and was schooled at St Alban’s, making the Northerns Schools team in 2013 and 2014.

Selection for the SA A team for the four-day series against Sri Lanka A in September showed that Moonsamy has put himself in line for higher honours and he will be eager to once again produce the goods for the Titans this season.

Joshua van Heerden

The St Alban’s educated Van Heerden played in just eight matches for the Momentum Multiply Titans in 2023/24, but it was across all formats and he marked his return to Pretoria, having played in the Eastern Cape since leaving school, with some memorable personal achievements. The right-handed opener notched his first century for the Titans when he scored an unbeaten 109 against the Tuskers in Pietermaritzburg, adding a record 252 for the first wicket with Matthew Kleinveldt. Van Heerden also scored his first T20 half-century for the Titans when he bashed 56 off just 35 balls against the Dolphins.

A composed batsman who shows good judgement, Van Heerden played 10 T20 internationals for Germany in 2022/23.

Lizaad Williams

One can’t underestimate the threat posed by Lizaad Williams with his skiddy bounce and ability to move the ball off the pitch. Those weapons are why the Proteas had selected the pace bowler for two Tests, four ODIs and 13 T20 internationals by the start of this season. He was part of the 50-over World Cup squad that made the semi-finals in 2023.

Fiercely competitive, Williams was the leading wicket-taker for the Joburg Super Kings in the SA20 in 2024 and he has served the Momentum Multiply Titans extremely well since 2020/21, when he was named as their Player of the Year at the end of the season, as a strike bowler able to break those stubborn partnerships.

The Lizaad Williams story is an inspirational one as he comes from humble beginnings in Vredenburg on the Cape West Coast and early hardships have made him a very resilient character.

Sisanda Magala

The Proteas white-ball international is a new signing for the Momentum Multiply Titans, having missed most of last season with the Lions due to knee surgery. Magala is a marvellous limited-overs bowler, possessing both a magnificent yorker and, thanks to his physical strength, the ability to hit the deck hard while bowling at decent pace.

Hailing originally from the Eastern Cape, Magala should also not be underestimated as a batsman, averaging 19.44 in first-class cricket with nine half-centuries, and having a pair of fifties each in 50-over and T20 cricket.

Magala was originally named in South Africa’s squad for the 2023 World Cup, but had to withdraw due to his knee injury, and he will want to perform at top-level again this season to show why he is regarded as one of the best death bowlers in the country.

Tsepo Ndwandwa

The Momentum Multiply Titans are the fourth franchise left-arm spinner Ndwandwa will represent after previous stints with the Cobras, Warriors, Knights and Lions. Another Eastern Cape product, Ndwandwa began his career with Border before moving to South-Western Districts, where he enjoyed the bulk of his success, taking 67 wickets in 22 first-class matches at an average of 27.70.

He has been a tidy performer in 50-over cricket and his career economy in the T20 format is a stingy 7.19.

Jhedli van Briesies

The 23-year-old from Mossel Bay, South-Western Districts, enjoyed a marvellous past season with the Garden Route Badgers in which he averaged 68.25 in first-class cricket, including a couple of centuries.

Van Briesies is a pleasing strokeplayer who favours the leg-side and is magnificent on the pull. He is also a tidy wicketkeeper and his arrival at the Momentum Multiply Titans, after a breakthrough season in Division II, will generate much interest.

Schooled at Langenhoven Gimnasium, Van Briesies played for the SWD Schools team for three years (2017-19) and has also played a couple of seasons of club cricket in the UK.

Lhuan-Dre Pretorius

One of the kings of junior cricket in South Africa, Pretorius successfully transitioned from U19 cricket to the senior Momentum Multiply Titans ranks last season.

The left-handed opener is still in school, doing matric at Cornwall Hill College this year, having been a dominant figure in the powerful St Stithians team, breaking the record for the most centuries for the school.

After an excellent Junior World Cup, in which he was among the top five-run-scorers with 287 at an average of 57.40 and a strike-rate of 94.09, Pretorius debuted for the Titans in the CSA T20 Challenge and scored 279 runs at a strike-rate of 119.74. While this showed the Klerksdorp-born 18-year-old is a tremendous talent, it was also the way he scored those runs that was so impressive. Renowned as a big-hitter who destroys attacks, Pretorius showed he is able to hit the ball ferociously hard and also manipulate it all around the field with sweetly-timed strokes.

His tally included two half-centuries – 58 from 43 balls against the Tuskers at SuperSport Park and a vital 52 off 32 balls in the de facto quarterfinal win over Western Province at Newlands. Pretorius also kept wicket tidily and there are high hopes he can follow in the footsteps of former Titans kingpin Quinton de Kock as a left-handed opener/wicketkeeper who became a major international star.

Roelof van der Merwe

Going into his 19^th season as a professional cricketer, Roelof van der Merwe continues to advertise his enduring passion for the game with every double fist pump wicket celebration, every lusty swing of the bat and every moment of age-defying brilliance in the field.

The veteran all-rounder is an astute signing by the Momentum Multiply Titans as he is a serial winner in the white-ball game, and a key member of the previous generation of Titans players that dominated South African domestic cricket. He last played in South Africa in 2023 when he led the Sunrisers Eastern Cape to the inaugural SA20 title and he remains a sought-after T20 player all over the world, having played in the UK, the Caribbean, the IPL, the UAE and the Big Bash. Van der Merwe is a double international, having played 26 times for the Proteas and more than 50 times for the Netherlands.

A left-arm spinner adept at keeping batsmen quiet and an aggressive batter who was good enough to score an unbeaten double-century in first-class cricket for the Titans, Van der Merwe will bring competitive fire to the team, his nickname of The Bulldog still being most apt.

Gerald Coetzee

The Momentum Multiply Titans welcomed Coetzee to SuperSport Park last season and even though he only managed to appear once for them due to Proteas commitments, when he did play the Titans ended up winners of a thrilling four-day match against Eastern Province, the former Free Stater taking four for 54 as they won by just 13 runs. Those international commitments included the 50-over World Cup, which ensured Coetzee is now well-known across the world for having plenty of wheels and the ability to take wickets, as he broke the South African record for the most dismissals (20) in a single edition of that showpiece tournament. His passion and aggression have also made him a favourite at the Wankhede Stadium following his stint for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL.

Coetzee is also a handy batsman who will rattle up quick runs in the lower-order.

Heinrich Klaasen

The way Heinrich Klaasen has grown his game in the last couple of seasons has been remarkable and he is now one of the kings of white-ball cricket globally, being one of the very best finishers around. His performance in last year’s 50-over World Cup was exceptional as he plundered 373 runs at the second-highest strike-rate of the tournament (133.21) and he continued these heroics in the T20 World Cup this year, including the fastest ever half-century in a final (27 balls).

In the last two seasons, he has scored 1065 ODI runs at an average of 48.40 and a strike-rate of 134.46, with three centuries.

The wicketkeeper/batsman is acknowledged as one of the finest players of spin in the world, and his relaxed persona belies a steely determination. When he’s not sparring with the world’s best bowlers, Klaasen loves to play for the Titans and is one of the franchise’s favourite sons with more than 8000 runs and 11 centuries for the union across all formats.

Aiden Markram

The co-captain of the Proteas alongside Temba Bavuma, Markram has been one of the great leaders of the Titans over the last decade. His captaincy credentials seem to improve with every year: having led South Africa to the U19 World Cup crown in 2014, he captained Sunrisers Eastern Cape to the title in the first two seasons of the SA20, and in 2024 he led the Proteas to an historic place in the T20 World Cup final.

In addition to his leadership skills, Markram has contributed more than 6000 runs across formats for the Titans, with 19 centuries. Many of those have come from one of the most gorgeous cover-drives in the game. The 30-year-old also contributes useful off-spin and is going to go down as one of the greatest players for the franchise, having shared in eight trophy-winning campaigns.

Part of the considerable legacy of Tuks cricket, Markram attended Pretoria Boys High and Cornwall Hill College.

Lungi Ngidi

Pace bowler Ngidi made his debut for the Titans in 2015 and burst on to the international scene in 2017 when he made his Proteas debut in a T20 against Sri Lanka and won the man of the match award. His Test debut in 2018 was even more dramatic as he took a matchwinning six for 39 against India at SuperSport Park, and then made his ODI debut against the same opponents, taking eight wickets in his first three matches.

Hailing from KZN, where he won bursaries to Highbury Prep School and Hilton College, Ngidi came to Pretoria in 2015 to play for Tuks and was an immediate success. The 28-year-old has been struck down by untimely injuries, but has still managed to take 120 wickets for the Titans across the three formats.

Ngidi is a sought-after bowler in T20 leagues around the world, thanks to his ability to surprise batsmen with incredibly skilful slower balls and cutters, making him a difficult bowler to chase after.

Tabraiz Shamsi

The left-arm wrist-spinner used to loathe being hit for boundaries, but now that he has become one of the most potent wicket-takers in international white-ball cricket, Tabraiz Shamsi knows he has the ability to dismiss any over-confident or unwatchful batsman.

His performances for the Proteas will go down in lore as he is South Africa’s highest-ever wicket-taker in T20 internationals as well as being an ever-present member of the ODI squad.

Shamsi is an experienced campaigner around the world, having played in T20 leagues in the Caribbean, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, England and the IPL. He joined the Titans in 2014/15 and enjoyed a dream second season as he spearheaded their charge to the first-class title with 41 wickets at 19.97.

The Johannesburg-born and educated star really began to blossom after the 2019 World Cup, once Imran Tahir retired from international cricket, and Shamsi’s eight for 32 against the Warriors at St George’s Park in 2020/21 are the best ever bowling figures for the Titans franchise.

Andile Phehlukwayo

After making his name in Durban for the last decade, Proteas all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo is looking for a new challenge in Centurion with the Momentum Multiply Titans.

Phehlukwayo’s inventive seam bowling will give the Titans a skilful option in the middle and death overs of limited-overs cricket, to add to his sweet striking with the bat and ability to hit the long ball in the lower-order.

The 28-year-old has played in more than a hundred games for South Africa, in all three formats, and has played in the last two 50-over World Cups. Becoming a vital cog in the Titans outfit will go a long way to ensuring he is included in the 2027 squad for the World Cup to be played in South Africa.

Mandla Mashimbyi

The Momentum Multiply Titans head coach is an expert in boosting the sheer mentality of his players and that is shown by the four-day and T20 titles he has steered the team to since taking over from Mark Boucher midway through the 2019/20 season.

Mashimbyi’s own playing career was cut short in 2010 at the age of 29 by knee injuries, but the pace bowler took 103 wickets in 39 first-class matches for the Titans and Northerns, as well as averaging over 20 with the bat. He also played 44 one-day games while based in Centurion, helping Northerns to the three-day and one-day double in 2005/6 and captaining them to the CSA One-Day Challenge title in 2009/10.

The Phalaborwa-born Mashimbyi has also had stints at international level with the SA U19, SA A, SA Emerging and Proteas teams as an assistant coach.

Richard das Neves

Richard das Neves’ stock has risen considerably in recent years as he continues his progress into the elite coaching ranks, boosted by backroom roles with the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL and the Paarl Royals in the SA20.

As a successful former captain of the Gauteng team, Das Neves is strong on the theory behind winning cricket and strategy, and he made Easterns the kings of the second division, leading them to three titles in four seasons between 2017/18 and 2020/21. He was named Cricket South Africa’s Coach of the Year in 2020.

As a player, Das Neves was an off-spinner and useful batsman, scoring nearly a thousand first-class runs, including one century, and taking 126 wickets at an average of just 24.

The Titans assistant coach is a qualified biokineticist.

*All stats as of September 1, 2024

Khaya Zondo and the rest of the Proteas batsmen in Australia can’t do much now about the structural issues in South African domestic cricket that are undermining the batting at international level, but the Test rookie did mention some basics of the game that he and his colleagues can do better to ensure they get more runs on the board in the second Test starting in Melbourne on Boxing Day.

The 32-year-old Zondo had batted in just two previous Test innings before he was thrown on to the Gabba minefield, but his 36 not out in the second innings was a defiant, plucky effort that would have given him some confidence for the rest of the series.

“It’s just a matter of really applying ourselves, getting really focused and making sure that we are present at the crease at all times,” Zondo said on Wednesday.

“A lot of the guys are new to Test cricket and there is a lot of intensity at that level, so we need to really focus on the ball. We need to bring all our soul and might while there at the crease.

“You’ve got to find a way to work through the challenges. It’s been a tough year of international cricket for the Proteas, playing in New Zealand, England and Australia is tough.

“And most of the pitches have been really tough. Test cricket tests your technique, makes you play with a straight blade because the ball is always between the stumps and you have to make sure you defend them,” Zondo said.

Watching the ball seems like an obvious thing for a professional cricketer to do, but there are levels and Zondo said his focus on every delivery has been something he has had to work on, even between innings in Brisbane.

“In the first innings, when I was lbw [for a two-ball duck], the ball nipped back quickly. So in the second innings I was trying to react ahead of the ball, watch the ball more closely,” Zondo said.

“Australia bowled very well, they were on the money. They realised there was a lot happening and they bowled a lot straighter. So it takes better defence to ensure you keep the good balls out.

“Playing for the SA A side and a bit of ODI cricket [6 matches] helped me adjust to this level, but there’s quite a difference in intensity and execution of skills. They were ruthless in their skills and their basics are sharp.

“You need to really defend your stumps and watch your off-stump. There’s not much to score off, but you can’t just sit there and think you’ll survive, because the bowlers will work you out,” Zondo said.

Proteas captain Dean Elgar believes he has a great attack for Australian conditions, but at the moment the pressure is on his batsmen to put enough runs on the board for them to be effective in their three-Test series that starts on December 17.

The South Africans departed for Australia on Thursday night and Elgar admitted the focus would be on their embattled batsmen.

“The style of cricket we play is tailor-made for over there, we have great fast bowlers. It’s bad enough facing them in the nets, I’m really glad I don’t have to do it in a match,” Elgar said at the Wanderers on Thursday morning.

“But runs on the board is key in Australia and our attack needs those scores to be most effective. Our batting has not been good enough in the last year, there is no shying away from it.

“It’s up to the batsmen to take accountability and responsibility. There are a lot of guys on the fringes who are champing on the bit and eager to play,” Elgar said.

There has been some criticism aimed at the recalling of Theunis de Bruyn and Heinrich Klaasen to the squad, both of whom are over 30 and last played Test cricket on the ill-fated tour of India in October 2019. But Elgar backed them as both having the experience and ability to dominate the strong Australian attack.

“Heinrich is a good, experienced international cricketer now and he has immense ability and a lot of character,” Elgar said.

“I’ve always thought that Theunis is one of the most talented batsmen in the country, he just has that extra gear which not a lot of guys have. He can really take an attack apart.

“I think he’s also in a really good space for Test cricket now, he has come a long way as a cricketer and person since his last international encounter and he will definitely be part of the selection discussion.”

Elgar is also fully expecting the Australians to try and bait his team with verbals, but said the Proteas must not back down when things get fiery.

“Australia is a tough place to play because there are a lot of external pressures and in their home conditions they are always pretty feisty. It’s the nature of them as individuals – brash and bold and in your face.

“But we enjoy that confrontation and we’ve shown the ability to keep calm heads. I would encourage the players not to shy away from it because that’s when South Africans show their best character,” Elgar said.

Kagiso Rabada, the top-scorer in a miserable Proteas total of 151, backed both the decision to bat first and the rest of the South African batting line-up to come good despite seven of them shuffling back down the aisle to the changeroom with just 92 runs on the board before he had to come to the crease on the first day of the second Test against England at Old Trafford.

Rabada scored a determined 36 to ensure the Proteas did not make some dreaded history on Thursday for beating their lowest ever completed innings in Manchester: the 130 they made back in 1929 when England beat them by an innings thanks to leg-spinner Tich Freeman’s career-best 12 wickets and centuries by Bob Wyatt and Frank Woolley.

Rabada then produced a top-class delivery, a back-of-a-length ball zipping and bouncing at the key England batsman, Joe Root, to find the edge of the bat and Sarel Erwee completing a juggling catch at first slip.

“We played two spinners for a reason and generally if you’re playing two spinners then you need to bat first. The pitch is getting drier and it’s quite slow.

“Simon Harmer is already in the game with his second ball ragging quite a bit. So I’ll say it is the right decision to bat first. We know the batting unit have quality but it is a young one as well.

“So it’s about gaining experience, but our batsmen know what they have to do, they don’t get out on purpose. They know what went wrong and as a team we back each and every player.

“Individuals take responsibility and I know they are all trying their utmost best. I’ll not be pointing fingers because that is just energy-sapping,” Rabada said.

Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad shared six wickets as they bowled with wonderful skill and nous to exploit the overcast conditions and a pitch that provided plenty of seam movement.

Rabada was asked about Anderson in the press conference at the end of the day’s play and he praised the paceman who is 40 years old and playing in his 174^th Test.

“Jimmy has had a remarkable career, particularly in Test cricket. He is still getting wickets and he is a legend of the game. He’s a phenomenal bowler, he showed that again today,” Rabada said.

“Only playing Tests has helped his longevity, but England play quite a few Tests every year. I guess I will need to have a beer with him at the end of the tour and ask him how he does it.”

Anderson has 661 wickets now halfway through his 174^th Test, a rate of 3.80 wickets per match. Rabada has 251 wickets in his 54^th Test, striking at 4.71 dismissals per game.

South Africa’s spearhead will need 140 Tests at this rate to post the same figures as Anderson, so 86 more. But given that the Proteas play so few Tests in comparison to England and are slated to play even less over the next few years, Rabada will need to keep playing until he is about 42 and show the same sort of longevity to overtake the numbers England’s leading wicket-taker is churning out.