The 30-year-old – son of the late Titans (then Northern Transvaal) and Proteas quick, Tertius Bosch, who was known for his raw pace and vicious bounce – has turned heads with the willow.

Bosch scored his maiden Test century in the first Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo and struck an unbeaten 81 on debut against Pakistan.

Corbin Bosch. Photo: Cricinfo

Although he’s only played two Tests so far, Bosch boasts a batting average of 108.5 and has already claimed 10 Test wickets, including a maiden five-for against Zimbabwe.

Remarkably, he’s now one of just four South Africans to have scored a century and taken a five-wicket haul in the same Test – a feat legendary all-rounder Jacques Kallis achieved twice. In fact, Bosch and Kallis are the only players to do so in the last 115 years. 

Kallis managed it against the West Indies at Newlands in 1999, and again against Bangladesh at the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom in 2002.

Corbin Bosch. Photo: Cricinfo

Bosch is also one of only three players to have won two major International Cricket Council titles for South Africa. Back in 2014, he lifted the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup in Dubai alongside Kagiso Rabada and Aiden Markram. 

The same trio helped South Africa to the World Test Championship title last month following a historic victory over Australia at Lord’s in London.

Like Bosch, left-arm seamer Marco Jansen has also been hailed as an all-rounder thanks to his growing ability with the bat – while Rabada himself is no slouch with the willow and has developed a knack for frustrating bowling attacks with his positive, yet measured approach.

Bosch, however, remains clear about where his heart lies. Speaking to OFM Sport, he admitted that while he enjoys swinging the bat like any tail-ender, fast bowling is in his blood.

“I think South Africa is blessed to have such fantastic bowlers who can also bat,” said Bosch.

“In Test cricket, having a lower order that can wag is crucial for getting those extra runs, so it’s always healthy competition. No one wants to be number 11, so there’s always a bit of a fight between us.

Jacques Kallis. Photo: Cricinfo

“I love my batting, but fast bowling is in my DNA. I love to bowl fast. As much as I enjoy batting, I love bowling that much more.”

Reflecting on his name being mentioned alongside Jacques Kallis, Bosch said it was an honour to be compared to someone he considers South Africa’s GOAT (Greatest of All Time).

“I did see it – I think it was all over my feed at one point – but it’s really special,” he said.

“Honestly, it hasn’t quite sunk in yet. It’s such a massive honour just to be spoken about in the same breath as Jacques. He was pretty much the GOAT of South African cricket.”

Bosch’s younger brother, Eathan Bosch, is an all-rounder who plays for the Dolphins and Pretoria Capitals.

The second Test against Zimbabwe gets underway in Bulawayo on Sunday at 10:00.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek mvh