Full Name: Dwaine Pretorius Date of Birth: March 29, 1989 Birthplace: Randfontein, South Africa Role: Right-Handed All-Rounder | Medium-Fast Bowler | Lower-Middle Order Batter Dwaine Pretorius was the quiet engine in South Africa’s limited-overs cricket—a utility man who did his job without fuss but with immense efficiency. With the ball, he brought discipline and variety; with the bat, he delivered valuable runs when the team needed stability or a late burst. In a side packed with stars, Pretorius quietly carved out his space through sheer work ethic and unshakeable intent. Born in Randfontein, a town near Johannesburg, Pretorius was never the prodigy. He faced setbacks early on—most notably, a serious injury that sidelined his progress and almost ended his cricketing dream. But his resilience saw him return stronger, grinding through the domestic circuit with the Lions and North West, eventually earning a national call-up in 2016. Pretorius' role was often the most thankless: coming in to bowl the tough overs or bat when the top order collapsed. Yet he made the most of his opportunities. In ODIs, he became known for his stump-to-stump bowling and handy cameos. In T20Is, he shone brightest, especially with his incredible 5/17 against Pakistan in 2021—the best figures by a South African in T20Is at the time. Career highlights include: - Over 35 ODI appearances with key lower-order contributions - 30 T20I wickets and impactful performances in global tournaments - Key part of South Africa’s T20 World Cup campaigns - Represented various T20 leagues including CSK in the IPL, MI Emirates, and others - Known for bowling crucial death overs with cutters, yorkers, and variation What made Pretorius special was his unwavering commitment. He wasn’t the fastest, nor the flashiest, but his understanding of his role and ability to adapt made him invaluable. Whether it was holding one end up, building partnerships, or bowling during the slog overs, he did it with heart. In January 2023, Pretorius announced a surprise retirement from international cricket to focus on T20 franchise leagues and family life. While his international career was relatively short, he left with the admiration of teammates and fans alike—for being reliable, humble, and a true team man. With jersey number 29, Dwaine Pretorius was South Africa’s underappreciated gem—quiet but deadly, modest but mighty.