At 28, Rickelton has made a commanding impact in this cycle, featuring in six Tests and compiling 451 runs across nine innings at an impressive average of 56.37, including two centuries. His most memorable innings was a masterful 259 off 343 balls against Pakistan at Cape Town in January, embellished with 30 fours and three sixes, earning him the Player of the Match award. Rickelton is likely to partner with Aiden Markram as an opener, bringing solidity and flair to the top order
The 24-year-old Stubbs embodies versatility and temperament. Known for his explosive finishing in T20s for Sunrisers Eastern Cape and Delhi Capitals in the SA20 and IPL respectively, Stubbs is gradually cementing his place as a reliable number three in Tests.
He has amassed 500 runs in nine Tests and 16 innings this cycle, averaging 33.33. Despite occasionally getting out after promising starts, he has demonstrated resilience and skill, notching two centuries and a fifty, with his highest score of 122 coming against Bangladesh (away) and Sri Lanka (home)
The tall and imposing pace-bowling all-rounder is being touted as South Africa’s future all-round great, following the footsteps of legends like Shaun Pollock and Jacques Kallis. Across six Tests this cycle, Jansen has scored 200 runs at an average of 28.57 with a striking rate near 70, including two half-centuries
His best batting effort was an unbeaten 84 against India at Centurion, where he stood firm as the last man to lead his team to an innings victory. With the ball, Jansen has been devastating, claiming 29 wickets at an average of 20.82 and an economy of 3.76. His career-best 7/13 against Sri Lanka in Durban, coupled with 4/73 in the second innings, propelled South Africa to a comprehensive 233-run win, earning him Player of the Match honours
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