• Malans and other SA brothers

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    Proteas opening batsman Pieter Malan joined brother Janneman Malan in international cricket on day one of the second Test against England at Newlands in Cape Town on Friday. Other brothers have played cricket for South Africa, too.

    Janneman Malan (2019: 2 T20Is)
    Pieter Malan (2020: 1 Test)

    • Younger brother Janneman has only played T20I cricket so far, while Pieter’s Test career has finally started. There is a third sibling as well. Andre also plays for the Cape Cobras – and has captained Western Province at provincial level.
    Pieter Malan and Janneman Malan

    Albie Morkel (2004-2015: 1 Test, 50 ODIs, 50 T20Is)
    Morne Morkel (2006-2018: 86 Tests, 117 ODIs, 44 T20Is)

    • Three years older than Morne, Albie debuted significantly earlier than his younger brother, but played substantially fewer matches for the Proteas. The one Test Albie played, against Australia in Cape Town in 2009, Morne didn’t.
    Albie Morkel and Morne Morkel

    Peter Pollock (1961-1970: 28 Tests)
    Graeme Pollock (1963-1970: 23 Tests)

    • Graeme was a prolific left-handed batsman and Peter a mean fast bowler. They collected 51 Tests between them, but neither are arguably as famous as Peter’s son and Graeme’s nephew, Shaun Pollock, who captained the Proteas for a prolonged period.

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    Tony Pithey (1957-1965: 17 Tests)
    David Pithey (1963-1967: 8 Tests)

    • The late Pithey brothers were born in Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) before playing for South Africa. David’s Test debut came alongside Peter Pollock against Australia in Brisbane in 1963. Tony scored a fine 154 against England in Cape Town two years later.

    George Tapscott (1913: 1 Test)
    Lionel Tapscott (1923: 2 Tests)

    • George played one Test to Lionel’s two. The latter debuted a full decade after the former in 1923. There was a third brother, too. Norman played 30 first-class fixtures, but was unable to reach the career highs of his siblings.

    Louis Tancred (1889: 2 Tests)
    Vincent Tancred (1899: 1 Test)
    Bernard Tancred (1902-1913: 14 Tests)

    • All three were born in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Louis was the most successful, earning 14 Test caps to Vincent’s one and Bernard’s two. The Tancreds are the only example of three brothers having played Test cricket for South Africa.

    Peter Kirsten (1992-1994: 12 Tests, 40 ODIs)
    Gary Kirsten (1993-2004: 101 Tests, 185 ODIs)

    • Peter captained South Africa and Gary is still active in the modern game, coaching the Durban Heat in the recent Mzansi Super League and Welsh Fire in this year’s The Hundred. They are half brothers. There are others, too, Andy and Paul Kirsten, who played first-class but not international cricket.

    Photo: Getty Images

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    SA CRICKET