Former India spinner and head coach Anil Kumble believes the variety offered by South Africa’s pace trio, featuring Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, and Lungi Ngidi, makes them a dominant force even in the non-friendly bowling conditions evident in the ongoing Champions Trophy. Former India spinner and head coach Anil Kumble has praised South Africa’s dominant pace trio—Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, and Marco Jansen—highlighting their varied bowling styles as a major factor in their success during the ongoing Champions Trophy.
Anil Kumble has praised Marco Jansen for his brilliant performances during the Champions Trophy 2025. In South Africa’s victory over England, Jansen played a crucial role for his side as he took three early wickets in seven overs. He also took three catches, one of which was off his own bowling.
South Africa’s potent pace attack headed by Marco Jansen is a threat in Champions Trophy 2025
In the ongoing tournament, South Africa has been in scintillating form, with their pace attack playing a pivotal role. The trio combined to take 11 wickets in just two matches, helping South Africa secure their place at the top of Group B and reach the semi-finals. Kumble emphasized how this variety in their bowling makes them a force to be reckoned with, even on flatter wickets
Marco Jansen, in particular, has been a standout performer, taking crucial wickets and providing South Africa with early breakthroughs. His performance against England was exemplary, as he removed their top three batsmen during the powerplay, putting his team in a commanding position.
Former India Captain also spoke about Marco Jansen’s development as an all-rounder, highlighting his improvement in batting. He pointed out that Marco Jansen has played important knocks for South Africa in the past, making valuable contributions lower down the order. According to Kumble, Marco Jansen’s ability to both bowl effectively and add crucial runs makes him a complete package for the team, especially in the No. 7 or No. 8 position.
Marco Jansen’s towering bounce has been particularly effective, as seen when he bowled a steep delivery that proved too much for England’s Phil Salt to handle. Kumble praised Marco Jansen’s ability to bring the ball back in and generate uncomfortable bounce, making him a complete package for South Africa, especially when bowling with the new ball.
Anil Kumble Praises South Africa’s Dominant Pace Trio Of Rabada, Ngidi And Marco Jansen
Anil Kumble feels that the variety offered by South Africa’s pace trio of Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi makes them the most complete attack for the not-always-bowler-friendly conditions seen in the Champions Trophy 2025.
On Saturday, South Africa hammered England to progress into the semi-finals. In their two group stage matches (one was rained off), South Africa bowled England out for 179 and Afghanistan for 208 – the two lowest totals in completed innings in this edition of the Champions Trophy.
“I think one good thing about South Africa is that all three of their fast bowlers that played today – of course Mulder is the one who bowls the middle periods – but if you look at the three tall fast bowlers, all of them are really tall. And all of them are different,” Kumble said on ESPNCricinfo’s Match Day show.
“Their angles are very different. Rabada is very classical whereas Ngidi is pretty awkward to face with his action and Marco Jansen comes at such height. So all three are very different. So that’s the nature you want in a one-day. That’s the variation.
“Even on a flat track, it’s not easy for the batters to line up because all three are very different. And that’s something that South Africa can certainly feel [confident] they have this kind of a quality and also the variety going into the business end of the tournament.”
Anil Kumble praises Marco Jansen’s performance vs England
Anil Kumble was impressed with Marco Jansen’s bowling ability, particularly with the new ball. He noted that Marco Jansen is able to reverse swing the ball into the batters, so he is a difficult bowler to play against. His height also makes it more difficult, as it produces steep bounce, like when Phil Salt found it difficult to play him. Kumble also said that having a bowler such as Jansen brings variation to the attack of South Africa, which already has numerous choices.
Jansen set the tone in South Africa’s win against England, dismissing their top three inside seven overs with his bounce. He also took three catches, including one off his own bowling.
“I think he’s still very young, although he has played quite a lot of cricket. He has certainly matured,” Kumble said. “I’m sure these three wickets [will give him confidence], and also you can see his athleticism in the field with all those catches.
“He has improved a lot with his batting as well. He has contributed with the bat on many occasions for South Africa. So in that sense he’s a complete package for South Africa at No. 7 or No. 8.
“And with the ball, with the new ball he can bring the ball back in. He’s tall so it’s not easy for the batters to just get under him,” he said.
“We saw that with Phil Salt, it just took off. It was quite steep, the bounce, and he couldn’t get over it. You need that variety in your bowling attack and that’s something that South Africa have in plenty.”
As South Africa heads into the business end of the tournament, Kumble believes their varied and potent pace attack gives them a strong edge. With Rabada, Ngidi, and Marco Jansen in top form, the Proteas have every reason to feel confident about their chances in the Champions Trophy.