Jansen is the younger brother of fellow Proteas star Marco Jansen, who is not part of the tour to Namibia. While the twins have followed remarkably similar paths to the senior men’s national team, Marco reached the international stage considerably quicker.

Both began their cricket journeys in Potchefstroom before moving to Bloemfontein, where they played for the University of the Free State and the Free State, before returning to the North West Dragons and eventually joining the Titans on the domestic front.

Duan Jansen in the SA20 for the Joburg Super Kings. Photo: Cricinfo

Earlier, Proteas coach Shukri Conrad indicated that he firmly believes Duan has the makings of a top-class international all-rounder and can follow in the footsteps of his identical twin.

While Duan’s road to the top has taken longer than Marco’s, he believes a move to Pretoria to join the Titans proved to be a major turning point in his career.

“I think the last year was pretty good for myself,” said Jansen.

“One thing that changed was the environment I was in, moving from North West to the Titans. That made a big, big difference for me mentally, more mentally than skill-wise.

“And then once I got a set of plans together – how to bowl, how to bat in certain situations – I think that helped a lot. When I took that to England, it showed me as well that I have a winning recipe, and I just have to keep on with it.

“I think that’s one thing that changed.”

Marco Jansen, Duan Jansen, and Tristan Stubbs, Photo: Cricinfo

Rather than feeling pressure to follow in his twin brother’s footsteps, Duan said he has chosen to view Marco’s success as an opportunity to learn – something that has helped him deal with the demands of the game from a mental perspective.

“I think when his career started, it was a bit difficult because obviously the media and people all around ask a lot of questions, as you guys know,” Jansen added.

“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.

Marco Jansen against India. Photo: Cricinfo

“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 and pre-games.

“So yeah, I think if anyone else is in that position, they’ll see it as a positive because you can get a glimpse of how it’s run in the Proteas setup and 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 reaped a lot of rewards regarding that.

Duan Jansen, Virat Kohli, and Marco Jansen. Photo: Koos Jansen

“And then obviously our relationship got better and stronger when it comes to cricket and related stuff. So yeah, I think it’s a great thing to have, especially in one of your family members. So once that happened, I just reaped the rewards.”

With Jason Smith withdrawn from the tour due to injury, Jansen’s chances of making his international debut have received a significant boost.

The Proteas will face Namibia in the opening match of the T20 International Tri-Series in Windhoek on Saturday, with play scheduled to get underway at 14:00.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cvs