The South African cricket team had an eventful summer, winning four games out of four, and here’s a detailed breakdown of how each Protea performed during the season, rated and analyzed.
Temba Bavuma – 9/10
Stats:
Matches: 4
Runs Scored: 504
Batting Average: 72.00
Centuries: 2
Fifties: 3
South Africa’s captain continued his career renaissance, leading from the front with bat and leadership acumen. His two centuries, one against Sri Lanka and another against Pakistan, were textbook examples of his gritty and composed style. While his captaincy decisions were sound, Bavuma also maintained his typically high fielding standards, though he lacked the spectacular moments we’ve come to expect.
There’s a tiny red flag, though—Bavuma appeared slightly vulnerable to the short ball for the first time in his career. It’s nitpicking, but worth watching. Overall, this was another stellar summer from a leader in prime form.
Marco Jansen – 9/10
Stats:
Matches: 4
Runs Scored: 105
Batting Average: 21.00
Fifties: 1
Wickets Taken: 24
Bowling Average: 19.66
Five-Wicket Hauls: 2
Ten-Wicket Hauls: 1
Jansen’s towering 2.06m frame and left-arm pace make him a constant menace for any batter. While he didn’t dominate with the ball by his lofty standards, his numbers still speak volumes—24 wickets at under 20. He proved his match-winning ability with both bat and ball, contributing a crucial Test fifty against Pakistan and a memorable partnership with Rabada that sealed a tense win.
Jansen’s value lies in his ability to produce moments of brilliance, and his freakish athleticism makes every delivery a potential unplayable one. The only reason this isn’t a perfect 10 is that his bowling didn’t always hit the heights we know he can achieve. Even so, he’s one of the first names on the team sheet for good reason.
Ryan Rickelton – 8.5/10
Stats:
Matches: 3
Runs Scored: 392
Batting Average: 78.40
Centuries: 2
Fifties: 0
Rickelton’s summer was headlined by two standout innings: a commanding hundred and a career-defining double century. His ability to capitalize once set at the crease validated the faith placed in him after an extended First-Class apprenticeship.
While Rickelton’s numbers were exceptional, his inability to steer South Africa home in the first Test against Pakistan left a slight blemish on an otherwise excellent campaign. He’s young, and the lessons will serve him well, but nearly 400 runs in three Tests is a return any team would dream of.
Kyle Verreynne – 8.5/10
Stats:
Matches: 4
Runs Scored: 227
Batting Average: 45.40
Centuries: 2
Fifties: 0
Kyle Verreynne had a golden summer, with three centuries overall, two of which came at home. His first century against Sri Lanka was pivotal in putting South Africa in control of a tricky game. While questions remain about his technique, particularly his ability to get on the front foot—a must in international cricket—Verreynne showed that once settled, he can score runs on par with the best wicket-keeper batters in the world.
His DRS skills are still a work in progress, which seems harsh to criticize but is a modern necessity for any keeper. That said, Verreynne was very solid behind the stumps, with no glaring errors, making him a vital component of the Proteas’ lineup.
Dane Paterson – 8/10
Stats:
Matches: 2
Runs Scored: 35
Batting Average: 11.66
Wickets Taken: 13
Bowling Average: 16.92
Five-Wicket Hauls: 2
Two games, two five-wicket hauls—Dane Paterson couldn’t have asked for more as a plug-in pace bowler. His control as the first-change bowler was exceptional, and if this is the peak of his international career, he’ll always look back fondly on the summer of 2024/25.
Paterson’s batting contributions flew under the radar but were significant. His partnerships for the 10th wicket added crucial runs, showcasing his ability to hang around when needed. While his sample size was limited, his performances were exemplary. He might have scored higher if he had played more matches, but it’s hard to top an “A-grade” effort in just two Tests.
Keshav Maharaj – 8/10
Stats:
Matches: 3
Runs Scored: 78
Batting Average: 26.00
Wickets Taken: 14
Bowling Average: 25.64
Five-Wicket Hauls: 1
Maharaj had a solid summer, highlighted by a five-wicket haul against Sri Lanka and some handy lower-order contributions with the bat. While he took his catches and was a consistent performer, his second-innings performance against Pakistan at Newlands raised slight concerns. South Africa’s upcoming tours of Pakistan and India will require him to be at his absolute best, and the workmanlike display may have exposed areas to sharpen.
Overall, Maharaj was a dependable presence in the team, contributing both with the ball and bat, but there’s room for growth when considering the challenges ahead.
Kagiso Rabada – 7.5/10
Stats:
Matches: 4
Runs Scored: 96
Batting Average: 24.00
Wickets Taken: 14
Bowling Average: 33.35
Rabada bowled well but often without luck, which impacted his wicket tally. He would have been hoping to surpass Allan Donald’s 330 Test wickets this summer but fell short, with several near misses and dropped chances.
His standout moment came with the bat, delivering a game-sealing knock in the first Test against Pakistan, where his composure and grit under pressure saw South Africa home. While it wasn’t his most dominant summer, Rabada’s overall contributions were still critical.
Aiden Markram – 7/10
Stats:
Matches: 4
Runs Scored: 288
Batting Average: 41.14
Centuries: 0
Fifties: 2
Two fifties in four Tests isn’t the standout return Aiden Markram would have hoped for, but as a South African opener, you’ll gladly take an average of 40 over a home summer. Markram showed better discipline outside off-stump, blunting the new ball effectively and contributing in the early overs—a crucial skill in Test cricket.
That said, he had multiple starts without converting them into a century, which continues to be a lingering concern. While he hasn’t quite fulfilled his immense potential yet, there are promising signs that he’s inching closer to doing so.
Corbin Bosch – 7/10
Stats:
Matches: 1
Runs Scored: 81*
Batting Average: 81.00
Wickets Taken: 5
Bowling Average: 23.40
Corbin Bosch’s debut was a dream start—a gritty, unbeaten 81 with the bat and a four-wicket haul in the same match. Statistically, it ranks as one of the finest all-round debuts in South African cricket history.
Despite this, questions remain about his consistency as a change bowler. His economy rate (4.38) raised concerns about his ability to maintain control over longer spells—a critical skill for a first or second change bowler in Test cricket. Mitchell Starc, for instance, can afford to be erratic because he bowls with the new ball and takes wickets. Bosch, however, needs to demonstrate greater control if he is to establish himself at this level.
Hard to rate higher given it was just one Test, but as debuts go, it’s hard to imagine a better one.
Gerald Coetzee – 6/10
Stats:
Matches: 1
Runs Scored: 1
Batting Average: 1.00
Wickets Taken: 4
Bowling Average: 21.25
A decent enough effort in the sole Test he played, but Coetzee was expensive, conceding runs at 5.31 per over, which is concerning. Adding to that, another groin niggle raises red flags about his ability to withstand the demands of Test cricket. His injury history is starting to pile up, and there’s now genuine doubt about whether his body can handle the format.
David Bedingham – 5/10
Stats:
Matches: 4
Runs Scored: 162
Batting Average: 27.00
Centuries: 0
Fifties: 0
Bedingham’s summer was underwhelming, especially given his stellar County cricket form coming in. A bizarre, ultra-aggressive innings in the first Test against Sri Lanka hinted that “Bazball” might have been on his mind. Heading into his final innings against Pakistan, he was averaging just 19 for the summer but managed an unbeaten 47*, which slightly salvaged his numbers.
After being one of the finds of last season, expectations were high, but this wasn’t the dominant summer fans had hoped for. A season to forget for Bedingham, though his class suggests better days lie ahead.
Tristan Stubbs – 5/10
Stats:
Matches: 4
Runs Scored: 199
Batting Average: 28.42
Centuries: 1
Fifties: 0
The gold standard for a great batsman is averaging one century every four games, and by that measure, Stubbs meets the mark with a solitary ton this summer. However, his additional 77 runs across the rest of his innings highlight a glaring issue with consistency.
That said, it’s hard to overlook the significance of his summer. Scoring two centuries in his debut year of Test cricket is no small feat, and Stubbs showed glimpses of being a long-term pillar in South Africa’s batting order. His ability to absorb pressure, rotate the strike, and unleash powerful shots when needed suggests he has the tools to be a mainstay for the next decade. A passing grade feels fair for now, but the potential for greatness is evident.
Kwena Maphaka – 5/10
Stats:
Matches: 1
Runs Scored: 0
Batting Average: 0.00
Wickets Taken: 3
Bowling Average: 30.00
Making his debut on a batter-friendly surface, Maphaka was understandably erratic. The captain’s limited use of him in the second innings (six overs in the first 75 overs bowled) reflected a lack of trust. However, his spells with the old and new ball showed why he is such an exciting prospect. He displayed pace, bounce, conventional swing, and reverse swing.
While his performance didn’t stand out, the glimpses of his potential suggest South Africa has a future star on their hands.
Wiaan Mulder – 3/10
Stats:
Matches: 2
Runs Scored: 29
Batting Average: 14.50
Wickets Taken: 1
Bowling Average: 82.00
It’s hard to evaluate Mulder’s summer as he got injured early in the first Test against Sri Lanka and barely featured afterward. His lone innings against Pakistan was a failure, and his bowling didn’t make much of an impact. A score of 3/10 feels low, but it reflects an almost incomplete grade due to the lack of opportunities.
Tony de Zorzi – 3/10
Stats:
Matches: 3
Runs Scored: 44
Batting Average: 7.33
Centuries: 0
Fifties: 0
Tony de Zorzi had a forgettable summer, struggling with the new ball and his footwork against high-quality seam bowling. His luck also deserted him as he missed the one Test where runs were flowing.
Despite his batting woes, De Zorzi’s fielding was outstanding, offering an important contribution in the field. The question now is whether he’ll feature in the match-day XI for the World Test Championship.
This concludes the ratings for all Proteas players who participated in the 2024/25 summer. Each performance was critical in shaping the team’s fortunes, and the ratings reflect their contributions to the team’s overall success and challenges.
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