Marco Jansen is primed and ready as South Africa gears up for the much-anticipated World Test Championship (WTC) Final against Australia at Lord’s. For the tall left-arm pacer, this match represents more than just a trophy—it’s a chance to prove his growth as a bowler capable of delivering on the biggest stage. Jansen has made it clear that his primary focus heading into the marquee clash is disciplined execution, particularly under the pressure and nuance of English conditions.
Jansen, who has rapidly grown into one of South Africa’s most promising Test bowlers, enters the final on the back of some strong red-ball form. He was a standout during South Africa’s last home series, notably against the West Indies and Sri Lanka, where his ability to generate steep bounce and movement off the seam troubled top-order batters. His 11-wicket haul against Sri Lanka in Durban remains one of his finest Test performances and a clear indicator of what he’s capable of when conditions suit his strengths.
One of the key factors in Jansen’s recent success has been his clarity of role. With seasoned pacers like Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi alongside him, Jansen has had the freedom to express himself as a strike bowler who can also maintain relentless accuracy. At Lord’s, the conditions often reward bowlers who can pitch the ball up and maintain control—a perfect stage for Jansen, who has been working specifically on his lengths and angles to exploit the famous slope.
While most focus on his bowling, Jansen’s development as an all-rounder also deserves mention. His lower-order batting has offered South Africa much-needed stability, allowing the team to extend innings or recover from collapses. In recent matches, Jansen has shown the temperament to occupy the crease and the ability to rotate strike under pressure. South Africa’s team management values his dual role, which adds depth and flexibility to their lineup.
Jansen himself has spoken about the importance of composure and sticking to the basics. He has taken a methodical approach to preparation for the WTC Final, focusing on seam positioning, consistency in release, and adapting quickly to different pitch conditions. Unlike previous tours where inexperience may have limited his impact, Jansen now enters this fixture with a more mature outlook and a greater understanding of how to build spells and out-think top-level batters.
Mentally, Jansen appears relaxed yet focused. He’s often seen in training sessions discussing strategies with Rabada and head coach Shukri Conrad, working closely with support staff to fine-tune his game plan for key Australian batters like Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne. The South African camp is confident that Jansen will play a major role in disrupting Australia’s rhythm early in the innings—a crucial factor in a one-off Test of this magnitude.
As the countdown to the Ultimate Test draws closer, Marco Jansen stands as one of South Africa’s biggest hopes. His mix of height, skill, and temperament gives the Proteas a real weapon with both ball and bat. If South Africa is to lift the WTC trophy at Lord’s, they will be counting heavily on Jansen to deliver—and all signs suggest he’s more than ready for the challenge.