Marco Yansen and Duane Yansen are the only pair of twins playing for the Proteas team. Although the series could have been decided earlier, the third ODI against Australia, scheduled for late this month in Potchefstroom, may hold special significance for these twins.
The city of Potchefstroom, located in the North West province, is dear to both brothers. They are the only twins who have ever represented the Proteas. The brothers were born just a 40-minute drive from there, in neighboring Clerksdorp, and attended Potchefstroom Gymnasium before debuting for the professional team NW Dragons.
The twins have played together only twice in top professional leagues, making their joint appearance for Proteas at the former JB Marks Oval even more meaningful. Marco noted: 'Playing in any game for Proteas together would be special, but I think if it happens in Potch, it will be even more special.'
He continued that since they grew up near Potch and studied there, if such an opportunity arises, they will definitely take advantage of it and enjoy it to the fullest. Marco is a recognized international superstar, regularly playing in franchise leagues worldwide, and has already played 83 times for Proteas in various formats.
Meanwhile, Duane debuted on the international stage during a recent tour of Namibia. His participation in the upcoming ODI series, starting on Thursday at Kingsmead, was made possible due to a hamstring injury sustained by Otneil Bartman. However, Marco is confident that his identical twin, Duane, can handle the task against the Australians if needed.
Marco expressed pride in his brother, saying: 'I am very, very proud of him and very happy for him because I am obviously his brother. I know what he is capable of. I know what he can do.'
He added that Duane initially struggled early in his career, but now he has reached a point where everything is going well, he feels comfortable in his game, and he is confident in his abilities.
Duane's presence in the Proteas squad will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the psychological state of the team's leading all-rounder. Marco, being a family-oriented person who values time with loved ones, has recently had to sacrifice this due to his international commitments in franchise leagues, which have taken him to India (IPL), the USA (MLC), and Great Britain (The Hundred) in recent months.
He explained that constant travel and being away from home, family, and friends can be uncomfortable for anyone. Marco shared that he grew up in a family where they always gathered, had joint dinners, birthdays, weekends, and evenings, and that this causes a feeling of homesickness when you are away from home for two months or longer.
Marco will undoubtedly value playing international cricket on home soil the most. Since the third ODI against Pakistan shortly before Christmas in 2024, this lean left-arm fast bowler has played only two Tests and one T20I on South African soil in almost two years. This is why he highly valued the recent first-class match for Titans to adapt to local conditions and regain his rhythm.
Before this four-day match, he had only three days of preparation and felt insufficiently ready. However, he felt good during the game: his timing was good, his body was good. He noted that on the third day he bowled as if it were a 10-over session where he felt 100 percent. After this four-day match, he feels very good regarding rhythm and bowling.
All this positively affects Marco and Proteas, as the 27-year-old player prepares to lead the attack in the absence of stars like Kagiso Rabada and Lungisi Ngidi, as well as Bartman, on Thursday.