South Africa have handed Marques Ackerman an opportunity to push for a place in their Test team after naming him in their preliminary squad for the upcoming three-match series against Australia. The 30-year-old has forced his way into contention after producing outstanding numbers in red-ball cricket over the past year.

Ackerman has scored more than 1,000 runs in his last 10 red-ball appearances for South Africa A at an average of 82.92, including four centuries. His career-best 256 off 237 balls against Bangladesh A in August 2026 further strengthened his case and earned him a place in the squad for the first Test at Kingsmead in Durban from October 9.

Who is Marques Ackerman?

Born on March 1, 1996, in Johannesburg, Gauteng, Ackerman is a left-handed middle-order batter known for his elegant strokeplay and ability to build long innings. He attended St Stithians College after earning a cricket scholarship at the age of 13 and went on to represent South Africa at Under-19 level.

Ackerman made his first-class debut for North West during the 2015/16 season before moving to KwaZulu-Natal. His domestic career gradually developed into a consistent run-scoring record, while his leadership qualities also saw him take on important roles for the Dolphins and South Africa A.

From a cricket-loving family to the professional game

Ackerman grew up in a cricket-oriented household on Johannesburg’s West Rand. Some of his earliest cricket memories came from spending long days beside the pitch watching his father and uncle play club cricket together for Roodepoort Cricket Club. Ackerman has spoken about growing up in a modest, working-class environment and not being raised in one of the wealthier areas.

His breakthrough came at the Standard Bank U13 regional tournament when his talent earned him a cricket scholarship to St Stithians College. He became the first person in his immediate family to attend an elite private school of that level. Cricket was already a major part of his extended family, with Herman Venter becoming the first relative to play professional cricket before Ackerman eventually progressed to the national setup.

Life away from cricket with wife Tess

Ackerman is married to Tess Ackerman, formerly Tess Pedlar. The couple got married on April 11, 2021, and announced in July 2024 that they were expecting their first child. They have since welcomed their first baby and largely kept their child’s life private. Ackerman and Tess live in KwaZulu-Natal with their family and French Bulldog, Hugo, while Ackerman continues to balance his domestic career with his growing responsibilities away from the field.

Ackerman’s numbers back his Test selection

The batter’s red-ball record has been the biggest reason behind his latest opportunity. In his last 10 appearances for South Africa A, he accumulated more than 1,000 runs at an average of 82.92, scoring four centuries in the process. His standout performance came against Bangladesh A in August when he smashed 256 from 237 deliveries. He followed that with scores of 107 and 60 for the Dolphins against Western Province in the 2026–27 CSA 4-Day Domestic Series.

Overall, Ackerman has played 85 first-class matches and scored 5,984 runs at an average of 48.65, with 16 centuries and 31 fifties. He has also represented franchises in the SA20 and played in the Lanka Premier League, showing experience across different formats.

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A chance to make his mark against Australia

Ackerman is the only uncapped player in South Africa’s expanded 18-man squad, giving him a significant opportunity to break into the Test side. He could compete for a top-order or middle-order position alongside players such as Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs and Wiaan Mulder. South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad has also valued Ackerman’s leadership for South Africa A as well as his performances with the bat.

The squad will assemble on October 1 for a training camp and an intra-squad match before the final 15-player squad is selected. If Ackerman makes the final cut, his Test debut could come at Kingsmead against Australia — completing a journey that began with club cricket on the West Rand and a scholarship that opened the door to a much bigger cricketing career.

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