Ruthless finisher starts South African season with exceptional century

The Ball in Play

Sep 21, 2026

Donovan Ferreira is back in South Africa, eager for the new season and daring to believe that he is the finisher the Proteas need for both next year’s ODI World Cup and T20 cricket. And yet it was in four-day, red-ball cricket where he first showed his class this season with an exceptional innings in the Northerns Titans’ opening match.

Ferreira has not been selected for the Proteas squad for the three ODIs against Australia starting on Thursday, but he knows competing with the likes of David Miller and Tristan Stubbs for the finisher role in the Proteas team is a tough challenge. He is full of belief, however, that he certainly belongs in that company. And the 28-year-old is pleased that his season started with a couple of four-day games for the Titans.

He made spectacular use of his first innings back in the country, scoring a magnificent 163 off just 180 balls as the Titans beat the KZN Dolphins by an innings at SuperSport Park. Ferreira came to the crease late on the first day after a powerful Titans attack had dismissed the Dolphins for just 157, but then the home side had been effectively reduced to 125 for five with one batsman retired hurt. He ensured he survived the dozen overs until stumps, but then produced a masterclass on the second day, batting through the entire morning session with Simon Harmer.

Ferreira batted within himself until he reached his century off 143 deliveries, but he is such a ruthless dispatcher of anything loose, whatever the length or line, that he was still scoring fluently against bowlers who were holding sway. He then exploded, lashing 63 runs off his next 37 balls. It was a career-best effort, his fourth first-class century lifting his first-class average to 49.59 after 15 matches.

“This is going to be a big season and I’m glad I’m going to be available for quite a few games for the Titans. The franchise means a lot to me, it’s my base and it’s a chance for me to reset and grow. It’s really nice to be part of the Titans because Albie Morkel [assistant coach] has helped me a lot with my batting, he knows my game well. And I’m pleased to start the season with red-ball cricket because it’s important to have that base for your batting,” Ferreira told kenborland.com.

“In terms of Proteas selection, I can only focus on what I can do. The higher powers have their job to do in terms of selection; my responsibility is to score as many runs as possible. That’s my focus. I will give everything and just try to contribute to the Titans team, share my knowledge and experience from playing T20 around the world.

“In terms of the domestic Pro20, I’m going to put a lot of focus on preparation and backing myself. My role as a finisher is an important one and it’s a diverse role because the situations you come into are not aways the same. I still believe I can contribute to the national team, if you don’t believe that then it becomes a lot harder. I definitely believe I can conquer that challenge,” Ferreira said.

Central to Ferreira’s belief is the fabulous IPL tournament he had earlier in the year. He was able to start 15 games this season for the Rajasthan Royals, having played only two matches for them in 2024 and just once for Delhi Capitals in 2025. His confidence grew and grew as he ended the campaign with 317 runs (75% in boundaries) in 13 innings, at a strike-rate of 179 and an average of 35.

Ferreira was a standout player as the Royals reached Qualifier 2, competing with lethal compatriot Heinrich Klaasen and Australian behemoth Tim David for the most sixes in the death overs (16-20). He has become one of the best in the world at hitting yorkers over the boundary and his fantastic numbers speak to a batsman who has matured, pacing his innings superbly thanks to the mental clarity he has developed.

“The IPL was big for me in terms of performance. I’d sat bench for three years and I was just trying to cement myself when I went back to Rajasthan. Fortunately for me, Sam Curran got injured and that opened a door for me. I had to take the opportunity and thankfully my game was in an improved space.

“Things happen for a reason and I believe it was an important stage of my career. My process now stays the same, I’m used to conditions in India and my spin play has improved. I used those three years to grow me and get ready for the highest level.

“You need stumbling blocks to keep growing and I’ve learnt a lot of lessons through all the ups and downs. Playing a lot of cricket gives you the opportunity to do well. If I stick to my processes, I believe I can really push the bar. I still need to fine-tune one or two things,” Ferreira said.

While the seasoned Miller and the exciting Stubbs currently have the inside lane in the squabble for the finishing role with the Proteas at next year’s 50-over World Cup, don’t underestimate Ferreira’s claims. He is a steely character with audacious skills when it comes to striking a cricket ball, and there was a grim determination in his eyes when he said:

“I missed out on the T20 World Cup earlier this year when I fractured my collarbone, so that was an opportunity taken away, but it was out of my control. For any player, being in a World Cup is the ultimate goal. But I need to keep my focus on the process, just give myself the best opportunity to score runs.

“And then it’s in the selectors’ hands. To play in and hopefully win the World Cup at home would be the absolute ultimate.”

Proteas coach Shukri Conrad has been known to do some daring things, and perhaps Stubbs’s ability to bat in different positions and Ferreira’s added strings to his bow in being able to bowl off-spin or keep wicket will encourage the maverick to do something left-field like picking them both, as well as Miller …

The Proteas Test side has a massive summer ahead of them and the conversation about carrying themselves as champions has already been had, according to captain Temba Bavuma.

South Africa are the holders of the World Test Championship after their stirring victory over favourites Australia in the final at Lord’s in June 2025, and the defence of that momentous title – their first in a major ICC event – is looming. The final for the fourth edition of the red-ball showpiece will also be in London, but at The Oval from June 9-13 next year.

Which is why the Proteas are unashamedly, and wonderfully, focused on Test cricket this summer with eight Tests scheduled between October 9 and January 7.

But the 2027 WTC final is not the only huge event on the Proteas’ calendar. South Africa is hosting the ODI World Cup from October 4 next year. That trophy, that has so cruelly eluded us through any manner of ridiculous ways, is arguably the one that is most-desired, given the history and prestige of the tournament.

Sitting down with Bavuma in the Skechers store at Fourways Mall in Johannesburg, I asked how he and the team were feeling on the brink of such a momentous time.

“I feel good, mentally fresh and physically in a good space having only played four games in the EUT20 Belgium since the end of our domestic season. After the CSA Awards [July 16], we saw all the guys and spoke about the season ahead and what an exciting run we have,” Bavuma told me with the sort of relaxed steel in his eyes that has become his trademark.

“Every season is a big one for us, but there’s way more to it this time. We’re playing the World Test Championship for the first time as champions and we host Australia first up in three Tests, so there are going to be fireworks.

“There’s a lot to look forward to, coming up against some of the best teams with England here for three Tests around Christmas, and Bangladesh, who have been playing good cricket and have a strong attack, coming too.

“For the Test side, one of the biggest things we’ve spoken about is playing like champions after winning the WTC. We must speak to each other like champions and not allow there to be any inferiority, because I think we carried a lot of that in the past. We understand there’s going to be a target on our backs, but we did good work in India last year [winning 2-0].

“Australia are going to provide a proper test, and we need to make sure we keep putting our best foot forward. We don’t want to look after two years to see the impact of our win at Lord’s, but after four years, and we keep reminding each other of our mission, which is to win the title again,” Bavuma said.

The focus on Test cricket, the longest, most gruelling format, means the Proteas will blood new players in white-ball cricket this summer, which makes sense with the ODI World Cup just over a year away. Coach Shukri Conrad has said he only needs to start playing his “shadow side” for that tournament in January when England are the opponents for three ODIs in Paarl and Bloemfontein. The next T20 World Cup is more than two years away, in October 2028 in Australia and New Zealand.

Which is why the likes of Bavuma, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada and Aiden Markram are not with the Proteas right now in Namibia. Instead, Bjorn Fortuin is leading a squad armed with fringe players like the Hermann brothers, Prenelan Subrayen, Nqobani Mokoena and Connor Esterhuizen.

“I’ve spent a whole lot of time at home and on the couch, but I’m always working on my ailments as well, to keep my body as strong and fresh as possible. But from a mental point of view, I’m missing actual cricket now,” the 36-year-old Bavuma said.

“The ODI World Cup is still over a year away, which is why the squad now looks very different. In terms of style of play, we want to start getting our heads around that and who are the key individuals? We want to keep the confidence and belief of the Test team.”

Of course, South Africa have a yukky record of making a mess of World Cups, but the tenacious skipper is adamant the team will face their history head-on and try to turn the pressure of expectation playing at home into fuel to drive performance.

“We will carry belief from having played in the final and then the semifinals of the last two T20 World Cups and winning the World Test Championship. And in the last ODI World Cup we performed well too to reach the semifinals.

“Whatever demons there are, we will have those conversations, that will definitely happen, even though we are focused more on Tests this year. Pressure is always there and the more you do well, the more expectation there is. All eyes will be on us and I’m sure our fans expect us to do good things at home.

“We are creating an environment that makes us able to perform at ICC events and if we keep giving ourselves a chance, keep getting into position to win one, then at some point things will change in our favour,” Bavuma said.

In the meantime, what a pleasure it is going to be to be able to sit back and watch the Proteas take on two of their greatest rivals in a full summer programme that will hopefully reignite the gees [contagious energy] that used to surround our national cricket team.

PS: Bavuma captained the Ghent Gladiators team to victory in the EUT20 Belgium, scoring 28 off 17 balls in the final. He played alongside Jon-Jon Smuts and Dwaine Pretorius in a tournament which also featured Martin Guptill, Jason Roy, Tristan Luus and David Wiese.

A 3-0 series victory over Malawi was as good a debut in charge as new Proteas netball coach Jenny van Dyk could ask for, but she said there is still plenty of room for improvement as she looks to grow the depth of the South Africa squad.

The Proteas won the three Tests, played at the Ellis Park Arena last weekend, 68-31, 69-38 and 69-24, a record winning margin against Malawi, a side who have always provided tough competition and are currently ranked seventh in the world to South Africa’s fifth.

“I’m really happy, it’s the way we wanted to start and I’m really proud of the girls,” Van Dyk said. “The team reacted well and they stuck to the game-plan, they played with a lot of passion, they played hard and they did us proud. As a first series, it was certainly good enough, we’ve got the goals we wanted. I challenged them to get certain scores and they have shown themselves to be coachable and they have a great mindset.

“Scoreline-wise, I am very pleased. To win 3-0 in your first run out is great and we also managed to test a lot of combinations. At times our second combination was under pressure and there are more proper tests to come. This series was an opportunity to pair the right combinations together and they gave it a good shot.

“We could just revert back to the old combinations, but I want 15 strong players. I understand it’s a tall order, but we’ve seen those cycles when we have seven strong players, but then you have one or two injuries and the whole campaign is destroyed. So we need to create depth and I will also be having a good look at the U21 World Cup next year, that gives good exposure to the young talent,” Van Dyk said.

The team will now have a short break before gathering in early December for a camp that will take place at the same time as the Spar National Championships in Johannesburg, and the next week the Proteas head off to Namibia for the Africa Cup in Swakopmund from December 9.

Four of the Proteas squad are, however, involved in the Fast 5 World Series in New Zealand, including Kamogelo Maseko, the creative mainstay of the team, and exciting new goal shooter Rolene Streutker.

Veteran Karla Pretorius is still an absolute pillar in defence for the Proteas, and she emphasised the learning curve that the national netball team are on at the moment.

“This series was an opportunity to push different combinations, it was not just about getting good wins but also testing combinations and putting players in different situations. We wanted tough games, to be in those tricky situations, out of their safety zones. To put out different combinations and still win 3-0 is the positive.

“We’re happy with what we got out of the series, we never panicked and we always felt fully in control. We just need to adapt quicker, not let the opposition get momentum. We need to get into the game defensively a bit quicker,” Pretorius said.

Defence was also the one area that Van Dyk highlighted as needing attention.

“We weren’t as pleased with the defending as we wanted to be, we weren’t quite in the positions we wanted to be and we allowed Malawi too much space. Especially our attackers, they need to be tighter on their opposite numbers. That is something we need to work on,” Van Dyk said.

Proteas star Tazmin Brits will make her debut for the DP World Lions Ladies team this weekend as #ThePrideOfJozi look to continue their impressive start to the season in the Gauteng derby with the Fidelity Titans at SuperSport Park in Centurion.

Brits was signed from South-Western Districts by the DP World Lions in the off-season and is coming off an outstanding T20 World Cup, where she was the tournament’s second-leading run-scorer behind captain Laura Wolvaardt.

Apart from being a world-class opening batter, the 33-year-old Brits is also a prolific run-scorer at domestic level and her presence in our DP World Lions team could provide that little bit extra that takes our Pride from being runners-up in both the 50-over and T20 competitions last season, to champions.

So far this season, #ThePrideOfJozi have enjoyed two bonus point wins in the HollywoodBets Pro50 Series, while they have won one and lost one of their T20 games.

The batting has largely been led by the middle and lower-order, with the top-order getting starts but so far not converting. Brits and her enormous experience and ability could well change that.

“Now that the Proteas have been back for a while, Tazmin will be joining us and that will be good for our top-order,” coach Shaun Pretorius said. “Hopefully they will now fire. They’ve had a bit of a slump, but we support them and we know they are motivated to build a way through this passage of form.

“The middle and lower-order have been really good, but imagine the freedom they could play with with a good foundation up top. We just need to make sure we take care of that phase, get through the first 10 overs and not allow any soft dismissals. The number of wickets we’re losing is a bit concerning,” Pretorius said.

A Jukskei Derby is always a massive match for DP World Lions Cricket and Pretorius said the Ladies camp is buzzing ahead of their visit to SuperSport Park, especially since the men’s team beat the Titans twice last week to win the CSA T20 Challenge.

“I’m a bit of a nervous man,” Pretorius chuckled, “because the men have set the tone with two wins of note against the Titans. They will also have Proteas back and we don’t look down on teams who are losing, especially if they’re at the bottom because then they will be very hungry and you never know when they will click.

“For us, it’s very important we make sure we execute properly and win the different phases of the game. We’ve had good execution of our plans so far and I’m definitely happy with our performances, but there are still areas for us to improve on, especially in the T20,” Pretorius said.

The Titans are currently situated in fourth place on the Pro50 table and are fifth in the T20 standings. So, playing at home, they will be desperate to turn things around against their arch-rivals.

Our DP World Lions will be without SA U19 stars Fay Cowling, Karabo Meso and Diara Ramlakan, who are currently in Pretoria excelling against the Irish U19s, for Saturday’s 50-over match, but Pretorius will see where they are in terms of energy levels for Sunday’s HollywoodBets Pro20 Series game.