To say Duan Jansen has had a fantastic 2025-26 season since joining the Titans would be the biggest understatement of the year. Since joining the Titans and being signed by JSK and Gloucestershire, he has earned his maiden Proteas call-up.
When asked what has changed over the past year, he said:
“Yeah, I think the last year was pretty good for myself, I have to say it myself.
“But one thing that changed was the environment I was in, moving from North West to the Titans. That made a big difference for me mentally, more mentally than, I’m going to say, skill-wise.
“And then once I got, I’m going to say, a set of plans put together – how to bowl, how to bat in certain situations – I think that helped a lot. And when I took that to England, it showed me as well I have a winning recipe and I just have to keep on with it.
“And yeah, I think that’s one thing that changed.”
When asked where he was when he got the call that he had been selected, he said:
“No, I was back. I think I got the call two weeks ago. But yeah, no, I didn’t get a call in England.”
When asked about his journey compared to his brother Marco and having to take a different path, he said:
“Yeah, I think when his career started it was a bit difficult because obviously media and people all around ask a lot of questions, like you guys now.
“But I think from four or five years ago, two years into his Proteas journey, it all changed for me mentally, specifically. And I had to take my own route, if I can say it that way.
“So mentally, it changed how I play, how I approach training, how I see his games when I watch him.
“And I’ve asked a lot of questions after games, pre-games. So yeah, I think if anyone else is in that position, they’ll see it as a booster because you can get, like, a glimpse of how it’s run in the Proteas setup and, how can I say, how your mindset should be in this environment, travelling and all that stuff.
“So that’s how I set my mindset since that point. And once I’ve done that, I think I’ve reaped a lot of rewards regarding that. And then obviously our relationship got better and stronger when it comes to cricket and related stuff.
“So yeah, I think that’s a great thing to have, especially in one of your family members. So once that happened, I just reaped the rewards.”
When asked about being an all-rounder and the importance of lower-order runs in white-ball cricket and variation in the middle overs, he said:
“Yeah, so I think when I moved to the Titans, that was more or less the role I had to play there as well. But yeah, bowling-wise, it went well. So I think those conversations were talked a lot about because I was doing a really good job.
“But for me personally, it was the batting part. If I could put that together, and I think that back end of that One Day Cup series that we had here with the tournament, I think when that thing clicked for me – how to approach a certain situation and deal with that pressure – yeah, just to get deeper and deeper. And in the final, I think it paid off.
“So that’s one thing I took out of that tournament and especially want to do here as well. It doesn’t matter where I bat, where I play. It’s just trying to assess the situation and give my best for the team.”
When asked whether it would be complicated playing alongside his brother Marco, he said:
“Obviously, one of our personal goals is to play together for the Proteas. But yeah, we know as well it’s not going to be that easy.
“So if it means we have to come in and out for each other or be on tour together and one sits out and another one plays, that’s fine.
“But I think if we do the right things for a longer period of time, I think that, like I say, that chance for us to play together for our country is going to be better than not.
“So I think still we have to walk our own way in that sense where I have to do a job, he has to do his job.
“And if it comes and if it aligns in that way, then we’re both going to be happy.”
When asked about being selected in the national setup and the reward for his hard work, he said:
“Yeah, I think every cricketer, when they get this opportunity, they realise the hard work they put in, it paid off.
“But for me personally, it means a bit more because the last two years when I was with the Dragons, I had injuries, didn’t play. Mentally, I was in a different space. And when I moved to the Titans, it just made a 180-degree turn in a good way.
“And then to get this call-up, I think it means for me personally a lot because it just shows you, even though it gets tough, you keep doing your job, go to training, do the hard stuff that you don’t want to do. It can pay off at one stage.
“So for me, when I got that call, to be honest, I cried a little bit.
“So yeah, it means a lot for me and obviously for my family as well.”
When asked about the biggest misconception about his game, particularly when people compare him to his brother, he said:
“Well, I know this and my brother knows this, but we’re exactly the same. It just comes down to performance on that day and obviously performing for the team.
“But I think if you look at it in the broad spectrum, we can do exactly the same job, even though we’re different people. He’s done a lot of good things for the Proteas. I’m starting my journey.
“Yeah, so I still have to show it on this stage, but I’m here for a reason and I’m here for a certain type of goal and I’m going to reach that goal.
“So if I have to show that to the world and that I belong here, I’m going to do that.”
When asked what he still needs to add to his game to become a more consistent selection for the Proteas, he said:
“Yeah, so I know there’s a certain, I’m going to say, there’s one or two spots open in our squad where they want to pick guys, where they’re going to bowl, where they’re going to bat. So I want to work in that area.
“But I think overall, new ball there. If there’s one area I can improve, a lot of little things, just to tighten up a little bit.
“And batting-wise, just to show what I have, not change a lot of stuff and make it complicated for myself, because I think most of the time when guys come here, they want to change the script.
“And one thing I’ve realised is I’ve done something specific that obviously when I go on different tours, it works. So to come here and just do the same and add on to those skills that I have, that’s going to be important and I’ll try not to complicate it for myself.”
When asked to elaborate on the mental struggles he experienced and the possibility of walking away from cricket, Jansen said:
“Yeah, it’s definitely worthwhile now in hindsight. So I wish I had a time portal thing that I could see into the future.
“But at that point in time, I think mentally just trying to go forward and putting in the hard work, that was the most difficult part for me – to wake up every morning and go and say, ‘Okay, I have to do this to improve.’
“That was the most difficult part for me at that point in time, because it didn’t feel like I was improving even though I was putting in the hard work, working, obviously, five hours a day some days.
“So just to work on that part, like even though it doesn’t look like you’re getting the rewards at that point in time, it’s going to pay off. So mentally, just do that.
“And I had a psychologist that I saw as well, a family psychologist. So that helped a lot as well. And spiritual life, it helped me in that sense as well too.
“I’m going to say I had a purpose in this career and God put me in this place for a reason. So He’s going to make it work. And look, three years down the line, looking back now, I’m smiling.
“But at that point in time, no one knew about it. Only me and my family. So spiritually, it made me stronger and made me more patient.
“Like, okay, it’s not going well right now, but it’s going to pay off and just trust. And it’s going to pay off because He’s looking for me and for my family. He’s looking for everyone going forward and He knows the way forward.”
