EXCLUSIVE: Rubin Hermann's journey down the N4 has prepared him for Proteas T20I call-up

The South African domestic system endures plenty of criticism for its perceived lack of quality. That it doesn’t provide enough opportunities to prepare players for international competition. 

But yet this same pipeline somehow continues to spit out players that defies this theory. The latest being top-order batter Rubin Hermann. 

The dynamic left-hander is set to complete the full cycle, having played at every senior level en-route to his maiden call-up to the Proteas T20I squad, for the upcoming Tri-Series against hosts Zimbabwe and New Zealand in Harare.

“Yeah, I've had a journey. I've been through every single level this country has to offer,” Hermann told Independent Media.

“Before I actually went to Division I, I spent two years in Division B. “So, to be fair, I had to take the N4 to North West. 

“But before that even,, all the way from out of school to Varsity Cup, Northerns Academy, Titans Academy, Northerns, Titans, then to Division B, then Division A, SA20, and now, luckily, the Proteas. 

“So, I've not skipped a level in the system, but I’m so thankful for my journey because it has allowed me to really understand my game and learn who I was, and how I want to play my game.” 

The “journey” is also in complete contrast to younger brother Jordan - who’s been identified by none other than Proteas legend AB de Villiers as a "future star of the game" after hitting the lights out for the Warriors, Sunrisers Eastern Cape and South Africa ‘A’ from the outset.

Watching this from afar could easily have been played on Rubin’s mind, but instead Jordan’s success only motivated him to work harder to achieve his own goals. 

“I think our journeys are just so different. To be honest, I think the way he broke into the system and when I broke into the system, was obviously two different pathways.

“So, I've got a very big respect for how his path worked. It was just two different worlds, if you compare it directly. And to be fair to him, yes, he's one of the more mentally strong cricketers that I know.

“He just understood his game at a very young age very, very well. And that just laid a platform for him to come to the scene and do very well. And then, regardless of the system, and how it worked, and the opportunities that he was offered, compared to maybe when I was at his age. It was completely different, if it makes sense.

“But he rocked up to the system, and he just lit the world on fire. So, he did so well. So, that obviously did inspire me so much. Obviously, watching the first two seasons of SA20, being in the box, being in the grandstand, thinking, yes, I really want to be there.

“I've always said, I want the right opportunity at the right times. And I think that's how it worked out. I needed to go away to Division B and work on my game, work on myself, figure out who I wanted to be, because I've got more of a dynamic game that took a bit more figuring out if it makes sense.”

Rubin’s dynamism came to the fore during last season’s SA20 when he grasped his opportunity with a half-century on debut for Paarl Royals before reverse-sweeping his way to further success by finishing as the tournament’s fifth top run-scorer with 330 runs at an average of 41.63 at the strike rate of 128.08. 

The 28-year-old will be eager for a similar start to his international career at the Harare Sports Club, and is certainly excited about the prospect of representing his country. 

“My whole career, I've always had to fight for opportunities, and when opportunities came, I've always been relentless on taking opportunities,” he said.

“So, I think I've always had to wait for an opportunity. I will be ready. I've developed a lot of mental resilience from my journey. 

“To be fair, I felt pressure before, and pressure is not playing SA20 or playing international cricket. Pressure is being in Division B, knowing that if this is my way to my last chance in my career, if I don't come out of here, my career is over.

“So, I think that's where pressure lies, is when I was in Division B, fighting to get my career started again, if it makes sense. And then, everything from there is just a privilege and me just being present. That’s the difference for me between expectation and pressure. So, I've just been loving, enjoying batting, and just being me.”