Gerald

Coetzee

Gerald Coetzee Biography and Career

South African cricketer Gerald Coetzee is a dynamic right-arm fast bowler whose rapid rise has made him one of the most exciting young talents in cricket. He is well-known for his passionate and aggressive celebrations after taking wickets, often drawing comparisons to the body language of former South African pacer Dale Steyn.

Coetzee's cricketing journey began with a strong List A debut for Free State in the 2018-19 CSA Provincial One Day Challenge. He then made his Twenty20 debut for the Knights in the 2018–19 CSA T20 Challenge in April 2019. Later in the year, he made his first-class debut for the Knights in the 2019–20 CSA 4-Day Franchise Series. 

He also represented South Africa Under-19 at the 2020 ICC U-19 World Cup. This was the second time he represented South Africa in the Under-19 World Cup. The first time he represented South Africa in the U-19 World Cup campaign was in 2018, where he picked 8 wickets in 4 games, including a fifer against New Zealand.

His performance in domestic cricket caught the attention of cricket experts and soon he started receiving offers from T20 franchises. He first received the offer to feature in the Indian Premier League (IPL) from the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in 2021 when they signed Coetzee as a replacement for an injured Liam Livingstone. However, he spent the season on the bench. He also featured in the inaugural season of the Major League Cricket (MLC) and played for the Texas Super Kings.

Coetzee, who is 6 feet 3 inches tall, has the ability to consistently bowl at a speed of 145km/h, swing the new ball and extract uncomfortable bounce due to his height. These qualities enabled him to rise quickly through the ranks, leading to his debut in all three formats for the national team.

In June 2022, Coetzee received his maiden international call as he was included in South Africa's Twenty20 International (T20I) squad for their tour of England to play the England and Ireland cricket teams. He was also selected for the 2022 T20 World Cup, but his international debut wouldn’t come until February 2023, when he was selected in South Africa's Test squad for the series against the West Indies. 

He made his Test debut against the West Indies on February 28, 2023. In March 2023, he was included in South Africa's One Day International (ODI) squad for the series against the West Indies. In his first Test, he picked 3 wickets in the match. However, it was the second Test match where his bowling stood out. In the second game against the West Indies in March 2023, he picked 6 wickets for 78 runs. 

Soon, his One Day International and T20 International followed in the same year. He made his ODI debut in the second ODI of the series in East London on March 18, 2023, when he took three wickets. However, it was against Afghanistan, his best performance came out in ODIs. He took 4 wickets for 44 runs against Afghanistan in November 2023.

He debuted for South Africa in T20I in August 2023 against Australia. In his debut game, he took 1 wicket for 40 runs. He also bowled a maiden over in his T20I debut. However, his best bowling figures in T20I came against India in December 2023 when he took 3 wickets for 32 runs.

His performances in ODIs and T20Is landed him the opportunity to represent South Africa in the 2023 Cricket World Cup and 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup.

He was one of the key fast bowlers of South Africa in the 2023 World Cup. He became an essential part of South Africa's fast bowling lineup during the World Cup. He finished the tournament as South Africa's highest wicket-taker with 20 wickets in 8 games. He also became South Africa's highest wicket-taker in a single edition of the World Cup, taking his record 18th wicket in a group-stage match against Afghanistan. His impressive performances were followed by many calling him one of the breakout stars of the 2023 Cricket World Cup.

After delivering continued impressive performance in all three formats for South Africa in 2023, the Mumbai Indians acquired Gerald Coetzee for Rs 5 crore ahead of IPL 2024. In that season, he played 10 games and picked 13 wickets. His best performance came against Delhi Capitals (DC) when he took three wickets in the last four balls of the match to finish with figures of 4 for 34. Coetzee was released ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction and was acquired by the Gujarat Titans (GT), adding further strength to their fast-bowling unit.

Beyond Cricket

Off the field, Gerald Coetzee leads a relatively private life, cherishing time with his family and wife. On November 29, 2023, he tied the knot with his longtime girlfriend, Hannah Hathorn. He shared the joyous news on his social media accounts, delighting fans with a glimpse of their wedding. The ceremony took place at Elandskloof Farm in Helderstroom, South Africa. Coetzee, a family-oriented individual, credits his parents and older brother for sparking his love for cricket, often sharing nostalgic anecdotes on social media. 

His hobbies include fitness training, which he shares through gym selfies, and exploring South Africa’s scenic landscapes along with his wife.

The right-arm fast bowler’s net worth is estimated to be between $1 to $5 million as of 2025. His income mainly comes from his South African cricket salary, franchise league fees, and sponsorship deals.

Gerald Coetzee Records

Gerald Coetzee Test Records:

• Notable Performance: Took 6 wickets for 78 runs in the second Test of his debut Test series against the West Indies in 2023.

Gerald Coetzee ODI Records:

• Most Wickets in a Single World Cup for South Africa: Took 20 wickets in 8 matches during the 2023 ODI World Cup.
• Leading Wicket-Taker for South Africa in a Single Edition of the World Cup: Became the leading wicket-taker for South Africa in a single edition of the World Cup when he took his record 18th scalp in a group stage match against Afghanistan.

Gerald Coetzee T20I Records:

• Notable Performance: Took 3 wickets for 32 runs against India in December 2023.

Gerald Coetzee IPL Records:

• Notable Performance: Took 13 wickets in 10 matches, playing for the Mumbai Indians in his debut season in 2024.
• Best Figures: His best bowling figure came against the Delhi Capitals, when he took 4/34.

Gerald Coetzee Other Formats:

• SA20 League: Took 17 wickets in 9 matches for Joburg Super Kings in inaugural season (2023).
• U-19 World Cup: Took 8 wickets in 4 matches in 2018, including a five-wicket haul against New Zealand.