Jacques Kallis is widely regarded as one of the greatest cricketers of all time and is arguably the finest South African player to have graced the game. The legendary all-rounder represented the Proteas in over 500 matches across Test, ODI, and T20 formats, leaving an indelible mark on cricket with both bat and ball. Kallis was a masterful batsman, known for his elegant cover drives, and a formidable bowler with a 'golden arm' capable of delivering crucial breakthroughs while maintaining exceptional economy rates.
Kallis began his first-class cricket journey in the 1993/94 season at just 18 years old, playing for Western Province B. His talent was evident from the start, and his coaching staff quickly recognised his potential to become a top-class all-rounder. The following summer, he played for Netherfield in Kendal, where he amassed 791 runs at an astonishing average of 98.87 from 14 matches.
He made his Test debut for South Africa in December 1995 against England in Durban at the age of 20. Although his initial outings with the bat were modest, Kallis had his breakthrough in 1997 when he scored 61 against Pakistan. Two matches later, he showcased his resilience with a century that helped South Africa secure a draw against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
From that point on, Kallis solidified his status as South Africa's greatest all-rounder. He achieved numerous records, including becoming the only cricketer to score more than 10,000 runs and take over 250 wickets in both Test and ODI cricket.
After retiring from international cricket in 2014, Kallis transitioned into coaching. In 2015, he became the head coach of Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He later served as the batting consultant for the Proteas in 2019, but the following year, he joined England's coaching staff.
In 2022, Kallis was appointed as the assistant coach for Pretoria Capitals in the Betway SA20 League. Earlier this year, he was also named in the South African squad for the World Championship of Legends, continuing his involvement in the sport even after his playing days.