Bavuma backs Ackerman to make Proteas opening role his own

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma has backed debutant Marques Ackerman to cement the Proteas opening position as his own after the left-hander was called up to partner Aiden Markram in the second Test against Australia at St George’s Park.

Tony De Zorzi’s injury forced the change, and the reshuffle also saw Ryan Rickelton move down the batting order to assume wicketkeeping duties in place of the omitted Kyle Verreynne. Bavuma admitted to having had to make multiple alterations to the team’s opening combinations.

“I mean, if I think about it, the last two years, we have been chopping and changing. So I think, you know, we’re still in that phase where we’re looking for that solidity up front, whoever’s going to partner Aiden,” Bavuma said, as quoted by IOL.

On a rain-curtailed opening day, the Proteas were bowled out to 20/2 from just 12.2 overs, with Ackerman unbeaten on five and Bavuma on four not out at stumps. The pair were set to resume on Monday morning, with Ackerman having navigated a testing spell from Australia’s pace attack on debut.

Why does Ackerman’s debut matter for South Africa’s top-order search?

Rickelton had opened alongside Markram across seven consecutive Tests before his form came under scrutiny. After his 259 against Pakistan at Newlands in the January 2025 New Year’s Test, he managed just one half-century in subsequent outings, which contributed to the decision to move him down the order and hand him the gloves.

Ackerman brings a strong first-class record to the role, though his recent domestic output has come predominantly at number three and in the middle order rather than at the top. He is not, however, the first Proteas batter to be repositioned in this way. Herschelle Gibbs adapted to open the batting and averaged 47.22 across 68 Tests in that position, while Neil McKenzie produced the most consistent cricket of his Test career after being promoted to open the innings. Bavuma made clear he is enthusiastic about what the newcomer can offer.

“Sometimes certain guys are going to have to do the heavy lifting. But it’s exciting having Ackerman there. Hopefully he can make that spot his own,” Bavuma said.

What is at stake for South Africa in the St George’s Park Test?

The match carries significant weight for the Proteas, both in terms of the series and their broader World Test Championship ambitions. Bavuma was candid about the dual motivation heading into the contest.

“Every day is important. This one is probably a little more important. You want to keep the series alive first and foremost, and then there’s the bigger picture of the World Test Championship that we always keep one eye on,” Bavuma said.

The rain interruptions on day one added further unpredictability to the contest. With Ackerman and Bavuma resuming from 20/2, South Africa will be eager to build a substantial partnership and give their debutant opener the platform to establish himself at Test level.