Proteas batsman Rassie van der Dussen is looking forward to playing alongside possible debutant Pieter Malan during this week’s second Test against England at Newlands in Cape Town. Malan will likely be named in the XI in the absence of injured Aiden Markram, despite the late inclusion of the uncapped Keegan Petersen in the squad.

‘He is a typical fighter: it has taken him 12 years and it shows the character. He has got more than 10,000 first-class runs, he knows his game. he knows this field, Newlands, very well,’ commented Van der Dussen.

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‘He is definitely one of the best opening batters in the country, he knows his game, he has scored a lot of runs and his temperament is second to none. I am very confident that if he plays, he will go well. He is a guy who doesn’t complain, he gets on with it, he makes big runs, he performs well, year in and year out.’

The 30-year-old Malan debuted in first-class cricket 12 years ago and has played for the Titans and Cape Cobras. His brother, Janneman, has  played T20I cricket for the Proteas.

‘In Test cricket, Jacques Kallis told me there is no shying away from weaknesses and by playing domestic cricket for a long time in your career, you get to know your game,’ added Van der Dussen. ‘Guys can come through the ranks and make their debuts at 30 and know their game. It’s not a case of a guy who is 21 or 22 and he has to prove himself on the international stage.’

The Proteas lead the four-match series after a 107-run win in the Centurion Test. Port Elizabeth and Johannesburg will host the third and fourth Test, respectively.

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