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Dean Elgar (Cricketer) Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated October 4, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth11 June 1987

Age32 Years

BirthplaceWelkom, Orange Free State Province, South Africa

ProfessionCricketer

NationalitySouth African

Marital statusMarried

FamilyFather - Richard Elgar; Mother - Denise Peart

Dean Elgar (Cricketer) Biography

South African opening batsman known for grit and technique, Dean Elgar has represented his country across all formats since 2008. A domestic standout from

Early life and background

Dean Elgar was born on 11 June 1987 in Welkom in the Orange Free State Province of South Africa. He grew up in Welkom and attended St. Dominic's College. His parents are Richard Elgar and Denise Peart. From an early age he showed promise in cricket and rose through provincial ranks in the Free State system.

Career

Elgar made his international debut in Twenty20 cricket on 26 March 2008 against Zimbabwe in Bloemfontein. He later broke into the 50-over side, making his ODI debut on 24 August 2012 against England in Cardiff. His Test debut came on 30 November 2012 against Australia in Perth.

A left-handed opening batsman, Elgar developed a reputation for concentration and technical application at the top of the innings. He established himself in South African domestic cricket with teams including the Eagles and Free State, and he has also featured for Titans and English county sides such as Somerset and Surrey. Over his career he has been assigned the shirt number 64 for South Africa and domestically.

Elgar's domestic performances in 2005 marked an important turning point in his career. Strong showings for Free State that season led to his appointment as captain of the South Africa side at the 2006 Under-19 World Cup in Sri Lanka. He was also named South African Country Districts Player of the Year in 2005 for his contributions at that level.

On the Test stage Elgar has produced several notable achievements. He became the second South African since Gary Kirsten to carry his bat through a Test innings, doing so in 2015 against England. In 2016 he shared a 250-run partnership with JP Duminy in Perth, one of the highest partnerships recorded at that ground and a major stand against Australia. In 2017 he became the first South African opening batsman to face more than 200 balls in each innings of a Test, a display of application against New Zealand. He was also dismissed for 199 in a Test against Bangladesh at Potchefstroom, the 12th instance overall of a batsman falling one short of a double century.

Elgar's international career has had ups and downs. His Test debut in Perth in 2012 was difficult—he was dismissed for a duck in each innings—but he has since forged a reputation as a gritty, focused player who can play long innings. In a memorable performance during the 3rd Test against England at The Oval, he batted for more than five hours to reach 136 despite sustaining a suspected broken finger. He has also served as South Africa's Test captain on occasion; he led the side when Faf du Plessis missed the Lord's Test for the birth of his child.

Public profile

Off the field Elgar is known for simple tastes and a love of golf as a hobby. He has said he admires players such as Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers among batsmen and Allan Donald and Dale Steyn among bowlers. An avid dog lover, he keeps a relatively low-profile personal life. He has been married; records indicate he had an earlier marriage that ended in divorce and a second marriage in 2017.

Playing style and records

Elgar is admired for his defensive technique, patience at the crease and capacity to occupy the crease for long periods. His favorite scoring shot is the pull. Among his records are carrying his bat in a Test innings, the substantial opening partnership with JP Duminy in Perth, and the rare feat of facing 200-plus deliveries in both innings of a Test. He is also listed among the few batsmen dismissed on 199 in Test cricket.

Latest updates

Throughout his career Elgar has continued to play for domestic and county teams in addition to international duty, representing sides such as Somerset, Surrey, the Eagles, Free State and the Titans. His international shirt number for South Africa has been 64.

Career highlights

His rapid rise after 2005 domestic performances, captaincy of South Africa at the 2006 Under-19 World Cup, carrying his bat in Test cricket, the big partnership with JP Duminy in Perth, and long, courageous innings such as the 136 at The Oval stand out as defining moments in his career.

Editorial Review and Sources

This F4U profile is written from publicly available career and profile information, then reviewed for clarity before publication. If you spot an outdated detail about Dean Elgar (Cricketer), send the page URL and a reliable correction source to f4udotin@gmail.com.

Reference context: StarsUnfolded
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Domestic and county cricket appearances

Has played for Eagles, Free State, Titans, Somerset and Surrey in domestic and county cricket.

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Career Highlights

  1. Named South African Country Districts Player of the Year (2005)
  2. Captain of South Africa at the 2006 Under-19 World Cup
  3. Carried his bat in a Test innings (2015 vs England)
  4. Shared a 250-run partnership with JP Duminy in Perth (2016)
  5. First South African opener to face 200+ balls in both innings of a Test (2017)
  6. Dismissed on 199 in a Test at Potchefstroom
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Dean Elgar (Cricketer) born?

11 June 1987

What is Dean Elgar (Cricketer) known for?

Cricketer

What is Dean Elgar (Cricketer)’s marital status?

Married