Duan Jansen is preparing for his maiden international appearance as part of the South Africa squad for a triangular T20 tournament in Windhoek, which begins this Friday. The call-up marks a significant milestone for the elder of the Jansen twins, who has spent years navigating a path distinct from his brother, Marco.
Marco Jansen established himself on the international stage during a Test match against India at Centurion in December 2021. Since that breakthrough, he has accumulated 224 matches, including 82 international appearances across all formats. In contrast, Duan has played 103 matches since that same date, none of which have been for the national side. Despite being 15 minutes older, Duan has often found himself in the shadow of his brother, who is also five centimeters taller.
Reflecting on the challenges of his journey, Duan admitted that the early stages of his brother’s career were difficult due to intense media scrutiny and external questioning. However, he noted that his perspective shifted significantly over the last few years. By focusing on his own development and training, he has managed to build a stronger, more positive relationship with his brother, frequently seeking advice to better understand the Proteas’ environment.
Duan’s path to the national squad was far from straightforward. Between January 2019 and February 2025, he played for North West, a period during which he struggled with form and suffered two broken feet. He confessed that the persistent lack of visible progress despite his hard work nearly led him to quit the sport. He credits his recovery and renewed focus to working with a family psychologist, which helped him find a sense of purpose and patience.
Since moving to the Titans before the previous season, Duan has seen his fortunes improve. He was named South Africa’s domestic one-day player of the season and delivered a match-winning 61 not out to secure the One-Day Cup title for the Titans against the Lions in March. Furthermore, he recently returned from a stint with Gloucestershire in the T20 Blast, where he finished as the team’s leading bowler with 16 wickets.
While the prospect of playing alongside Marco for South Africa remains a personal goal, Duan acknowledges the difficulty of such a selection. He remains pragmatic, stating that if they must rotate in and out of the side, he is prepared to do so. His primary focus is on performing his individual role and proving his worth to the selectors.
The current spotlight remains firmly on Marco, though sibling parity could eventually be on the horizon. Historically, the twins were known primarily for their familial connection and a shared training session in the Wanderers nets against Virat Kohli in January 2018. Duan’s trajectory stands in stark contrast to that of Dewald Brevis, who gained international fame early in his career.
Brevis rose to prominence during the 2022 Under-19 World Cup in the Caribbean, where he scored 506 runs, breaking a record previously held by Shikhar Dhawan since 2004. Although South Africa did not win the tournament, Brevis’ 138 off 130 balls against Bangladesh in the seventh-place play-off cemented his reputation. Since then, he has experienced a varied international career, including an undefeated 125 off 56 balls against Australia in Darwin last August.
Now 23, Brevis continues to navigate the pressures of early fame. Reflecting on his journey during a press conference on Wednesday, he expressed gratitude for his position, noting that he views his career as a blessing and remains committed to enjoying every moment of his professional life. The report also notes that one of London’s poshest areas, on a golden July evening last year stood someone who looked a lot like Marco Jansen, alongside Marco Jansen in the green and glorious garden of the South African High Commissioner’s residence in Kensington. The report also notes that in fact, they were almost identical. The report also notes that both were tall — one topped the other by five centimetres — and as lean as anyone could safely be without snapping like a drought-hit sapling. The report also notes that they looked at the same world with the same serious eyes from under swatches of the same dark brown hair. The report also notes that both bowl left-arm fast and have developed into punishing right-handed batters. The report also notes that convention says that shouldn’t happen to older brothers; Duan is the elder by 15 minutes. The report also notes that there is no explaining how one twin goes places the other doesn’t. The report also notes that but that didn’t stop Duan from trying to make it make sense.
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