Marco Jansen Looks Back on His Ridiculous One-Handed Catch

Photo Credit: Cricket South Africa

The left-hander had to rely on his less-preferred hand to pull off one of the highlights of South Africa’s win over Australia.

Durban, South Africa (27 September 2026) – Marco Jansen has had a pretty good week, but it’s his spectacular one-handed catch against Australia that has everyone talking.

The Proteas all-rounder produced a moment of pure athleticism in South Africa’s 67-run victory over Australia in the first ODI in Durban on Thursday, diving full stretch to dismiss Matt Renshaw for 44. The catch quickly went viral, with fans and commentators struggling to believe what they had just seen.

And Jansen admits the catch wasn’t exactly something he had planned.

“I saw the ball go up and then initially, yeah, so I saw the ball go up and then initially I didn’t think at all I was gonna get there. I think in the spur of the moment, like in a split second, I know I decided that I’m gonna go for it. Doesn’t matter whether I get there or not.”

Once he realised he had a chance, there was only one thing left to do.

“And then halfway through, like halfway the ball was in the air, I felt like I could get there, and then, yeah, I just told myself, just dive and see what you can do, and luckily I got there.”

Jansen is a left-hander, and the catch was taken with his right hand.

“I’m left-handed, so it’s not my preferred hand to catch. But yeah, it’s one of those where I think it’s one of those where it sticks or it doesn’t.”

Judging by the reaction online, it definitely stuck.

One reaction to the viral footage summed up the mood perfectly:

“Yeah! Catch of the year, anybody? Oh my days, Marco Jansen, long man plonky. What was that? Catch of the year.”

The catch came with Australia still in the hunt at 215 for seven, with Renshaw one of the last recognised batters at the crease. His dismissal helped South Africa close out the innings.