Marco Jansen scored 85 and took 5/33 against Australia in the second Test, and before the match was over Dale Steyn had called him the best cricketer in the world.
South Africa finished the job on Thursday, winning by an innings and 31 runs and levelling the three-Test series at 1-1. Steyn posted on Wednesday afternoon, with Australia already batting again under the follow-on.
“Marco Jansen is currently the best cricketer in the world.” – Dale Steyn
The 132-Run Stand That Rescued South Africa
South Africa were 110/6 when Jansen walked out to join Temba Bavuma.
The two of them put on 132 for the seventh wicket. Jansen made 85 from 100 balls with nine fours and three sixes. Bavuma went on to 179 and Simon Harmer added 82, and South Africa declared on 425/9 after 127.1 overs. Scott Boland was the best of the Australian bowlers with 5/81.
Australia All Out For 99
Jansen then took 5/33 from 11 overs and Australia lasted 42.3 overs for 99. Travis Head, Matt Renshaw, Alex Carey, Beau Webster and Boland all went to him. Steve Smith top-scored with 28.
South Africa led by 326 and sent Australia straight back in. It was only the third time since 1988 that Australia have been asked to follow on in a Test match.
Travis Head’s Hundred And The Last Wicket Of The Match
Australia batted properly the second time. Head made 121 and Boland dug in for 40 off 166 balls. Kagiso Rabada took 4/77 and Wiaan Mulder 3/64 as Australia were bowled out for 295, with rain eating into the early overs. Jansen took the final wicket, Josh Hazlewood, to end the match.
Bavuma took the Player of the Match award for his 179.
Marco Jansen’s Second Test Against Australia In Numbers
The full picture from St George’s Park:
- South Africa 425/9 declared — Temba Bavuma 179, Marco Jansen 85, Simon Harmer 82; Scott Boland 5/81
- Australia 99 all out — Marco Jansen 5/33 from 11 overs; Steve Smith top-scored with 28
- Australia 295 following on — Travis Head 121; Kagiso Rabada 4/77, Wiaan Mulder 3/64
- South Africa won by an innings and 31 runs; Player of the Match Temba Bavuma
Why Did Dale Steyn Call Marco Jansen The Best Cricketer In The World?
Steyn spent his career doing one half of what Jansen did in this match, and he does not hand out that kind of line often.
The two know each other away from the game and have been out fishing together, so the post was not a stranger reacting to a scorecard.
When Nasser Hussain’s pick of Harry Brook came up in the replies, Steyn’s answer was four words long.
“Harry don’t bowl.” – Dale Steyn
That is the whole argument for a bowling all-rounder. A batter can win you a session. A player who takes the new ball and then puts on 132 with your captain from 110/6 wins you two.
Jansen’s Own Answer To It
Jansen has said the praise is good to hear but that it brings pressure with it, and he has kept pushing the credit back toward the side around him. He has also been clear about the kind of cricketer he wants to be, which is the one who does both jobs rather than the one who is picked for either.
The Record Sitting Behind The Claim
This is not the first time Jansen has taken a Test match apart on his own.
In November 2024 he took 7/13 at Kingsmead and finished with ten wickets in the match as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 42, their lowest Test total. He was the first South African to take a ten-wicket haul at the ground and the first left-arm South African seamer to do it.
In November 2025 he made 93 and took 6/48 and 1/23 to win Player of the Match in India, in South Africa’s first Test series win there in 25 years. India lost that match by 408 runs, their heaviest Test defeat by runs.
He was part of the South African squad that won the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship, and part of the side that reached the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup final.
Cape Town Decides The Series
Australia won the first Test in Durban by 214 runs, with 390 and 314/6 declared against South Africa’s 284 and 206. That one is now cancelled out. The third Test starts in Cape Town on 27 October with the series at 1-1 and Jansen holding the new ball.
