The performances of Marco Jansen and Keegan Petersen should be very encouraging to everyone involved in the Proteas team.
Both players have hit the ground running in Test cricket which points to a healthy player production pipeline.
After some nervy moments on debut, Jansen settled down and out-performed the senior fast bowlers in the team and was a big part of the Proteas beating India.
Petersen’s series was probably the biggest positive for the Proteas as he was finally rewarded for years of performance at the franchise level.
The 28-year-old has been around the block but he also has a lot of time left in his career if everything goes to plan.
Petersen was clearly ready for the big stage and he showed that by taking all the nerves out of the Proteas chase at Newlands.
While the discovery of Jansen bolsters South Africa’s already impressive pace stocks and gives them something different to boot with the unique angles he bowls, Petersen’s Test readiness fills a yawning gulf in the South Africa set-up.
South Africa have not had a rock-solid number three since Hashim Amla called it quits, and Petersen has now moved his name to the head of a queue that includes the likes of Pieter Malan and Zubayr Hamza.
Petersen may have missed out on a hundred in the series, but his ability to relieve pressure might be his greatest asset in Test cricket.
The Hollywoodbets KZN Coastal man is technically sound when defending but has a natural flair that allows him to take full toll of anything loose that might come his way.
Petersen’s next big challenge will be performing abroad.
The Proteas travel to New Zealand for their next Test series giving Petersen a chance to show what he can do in unfamiliar surroundings.
Two more match-winners have been added to the Proteas ranks and improvement in the Test arena appears to be on its way.
