The International Cricket Council named opening batsman Janneman Malan and his intimidating bat as that organisation’s Emerging Men’s Player of the Year 2021 for his place at the top of the one-day batting log of the Proteas.  

This 25-year-old, who grew up in Mbombela, is a former stalwart of the North-West University during a time of glory, and scored 759 runs at an average of 69 and a strike rate of 90,03 in the 14 one-day matches that he played for the Proteas. This includes three centuries and three half-centuries. In the recently completed one-day series against India, which the Proteas won 3–0, Malan might not have been at his demolishing best, yet he scored 91 in the second match in Paarl, helping the Proteas to overtake India’s score of 287/6 relatively easily.

His partner, Quinton de Kock, who had to help him take the shine off the ball, was named Player of the Match for his 78 runs from 66 deliveries that day. This brilliant wicketkeeper was also named Player of the Series.

Besides his performance in the one-day arena Malan also whacked 241 runs in 11 T20 matches.