Renowned as one of the world’s best openers, South African batter Dean Elgar joined Essex ahead of the 2024 season after retiring from international duty. Throughout a 12-year international career, during which he captained his country in 13 of the 86 Tests he played, Elgar hit over 5,000 runs and made 14 centuries.

Hailing from Welkom, a city in South Africa’s central Free State province, Elgar made his Test debut in 2012 against Australia. His gritty, resistant style is borne out by his achievement of being one of only two men to have carried their bat three times in Tests, alongside West Indies’ Desmond Haynes.

Elgar hit his first international century against New Zealand in January 2013, and following the retirement of Graeme Smith just over a year later, he was given the opportunity to bat in his preferred opener position. He went on to make the spot his own, being the leading Test run-scorer among openers between 2016 and 2021.

He was appointed Test captain in March 2021, taking over from Quinton de Kock, and guided the Proteas to series wins over West Indies and India. Having also played eight ODIs for South Africa, Elgar retired from all internationals in January 2024 after a final home series against India.