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Jansen tops rankings as Bavuma climbs to second
(Photo by Richard Huggard/Gallo Images)

Marco Jansen has become the world’s No 1 Test all-rounder and bowler, while Proteas captain Temba Bavuma has climbed to a career-best second in the batting rankings.

Jansen displaced India’s Ravindra Jadeja at the summit of the all-rounder rankings in Wednesday’s ICC update, ending his reign of more than four years.

The 26-year-old also jumped five places to overtake Australia’s Mitchell Starc as the top-ranked Test bowler, reaching No 1 in both categories for the first time.

His rise followed a decisive contribution to South Africa’s innings-and-31-run victory over Australia in the second Test in Gqeberha.

Jansen scored 85 and returned figures of 5-33 and 1-34, helping the Proteas secure a commanding win.

He is the first South African to lead the Test all-rounder rankings since Vernon Philander in August 2014. Kagiso Rabada was the country’s most recent No 1 Test bowler in November 2024.

Bavuma’s match-winning 179 brought a significant reward of its own, lifting him four places to second in the Test batting rankings.

Only England’s Harry Brook sits above the Proteas captain, who now has the opportunity to become South Africa’s first top-ranked Test batter since AB de Villiers in November 2015.

Jansen also improved his batting ranking, climbing 13 places to 56th.

His double milestone follows praise from former Proteas fast bowler Dale Steyn, who recently described him as “the best cricketer in the world”.

Photo: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images

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