He has massive potential.
Who is Tiaan van Vuuren? That might be the first question among most fans and viewers following his terrific bowling show in the second unofficial Test between India A and South Africa A.
Vuuren has been one of the finest performers in the ongoing unofficial Test series. He has contributed with both bat and ball and has been a useful addition to the XI.
In the second unofficial Test in Bengaluru, Vuuren removed big batters like KL Rahul and Devdutt Padikkal to break through a strong India A batting unit. He was sharp with his lines and lengths and exploited the conditions.
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Tiaan van Vuuren is a 24-year-old left-arm pacer who is also more than capable with the bat and has been improving on both aspects. He has seen a rapid rise as a cricketer and has performed exceptionally well in the longer format recently, proving his utility.
Vuuren is a quick bowler who can hit the deck hard and bowl shorter lengths with an awkward angle. Clearly, the India A batters were unprepared for what he had to offer and succumbed to his accuracy.
Additionally, he can bat anywhere in the middle order and has shown decent skills against spinners with the willow. Tiaan van Vuuren has already made decent contributions as a batter in the red-ball format.
Tiaan van Vuuren has played 22 First Class games, snaring 53 wickets at an average of 31.28 in 37 innings, with a best of 4/39. Additionally, the young sensation has accumulated 640 runs at an average of 25.60 in 31 outings, including a century.
Recently, he flexed his batting skills with a magnificent century against New Zealand A in Benoni and also made a crucial 46 against India A. So, there’s definitely ample batting potential, which should improve with more exposure.
In List A cricket, Vuuren has 29 wickets at 26.10 runs apiece in 20 innings, including a four-wicket haul. With the bat, the 24-year-old has 308 runs at an average of 25.66 and a strike rate of 93.05 in 18 attempts, with a best of 54.
During the CSA Provincial One-Day Challenge Division One 2025, Vuuren grabbed 13 wickets at an average of 16.61 in seven outings, with a best of 4/39. He was the fifth-leading wicket-taker.
He has made an impact in the shortest format as well, with 11 wickets and 197 runs in 26 matches. MI Cape Town roped him for R1M after a bidding war in the SA20 2026 auction, which suggests he has a high ceiling and should achieve big things.
Currently, Tiaan van Vuuren might look behind in the pecking order, especially since South Africa have a few all-rounders like Corbin Bosch and Marco Jansen to work with. However, his performances in First Class cricket have confirmed the extra dimension he brings to the table.
Vuuren’s attributes are suited for the subcontinent conditions since he generates extra bounce and brings the left-arm angle. His value is bound to increase on helpful decks, as was the case in Bengaluru on Day 1 of the second unofficial Test.
He can bowl with the new ball and remain accurate even when the shine goes, since he has the pace and generates bounce off the pitch. So, he will remain effective across conditions, and most decks will suit him.
As a batter, Tiaan van Vuuren can be flexible and bat according to the team’s demands, which is a luxury for any team. For now, he mostly bats in the lower order, but as he continues to shine, the management will offer him a wider role.
A lot will also depend on the upcoming SA20, which certainly plays a role in South Africa’s team selection now. His recent development is bound to excite, and the selectors will keep a close tab on his progress.
The Proteas won’t mind having ample all-round options after struggling to find enough in the recent decade or so. In Tiaan van Vuuren, they get an all-format package who can win them matches on his own in future.
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