Jordan Hermann will be hoping it will be second time lucky on the upcoming Proteas white-ball tour to Namibia.

The 24-year-old left-handed batter has long been touted as a rising star in South African domestic cricket, particularly after Proteas legend AB de Villiers first sang his praises after seeing him in Betway SA20 Season 1 three seasons ago.

Hermann has developed his game even further since, showing the adaptability to switch between formats by being the only batter in the country to top 600 runs in consecutive first-class seasons.

He had to bide his time, though, with his brother Rubin Hermann beating him to a Proteas cap, and when he was eventually called up for the New Zealand tour earlier this year, it was a T20I debut to forget as he strained a hamstring while fielding in Mount Manganui.

But Proteas coach Shukri Conrad has not given up on Hermann’s potential and is hoping the top-order batter will be able to make an impact in the T20I Tri-Series in Windhoek at the end of the month.

“Jordan was with us in New Zealand and unfortunately got injured in the very first game out in Mount Manganui,” Conrad said.

“Jordan’s done particularly well both domestically and at SA20 level. Definitely has put his name up in lights and one that we strongly consider across all formats. I think it’s a wonderful opportunity again for someone like Jordan to showcase what he’s about.”

Hermann has certainly not been resting on his laurels during the winter. He was in superb form for the South Africa ‘A’ side on the tour to England, topping the ‘Test’ run-scorers table with 211 runs at an average of 105.50, including a century at Beckenham.

It led to a short-term deal with Somerset in the English County Championship where Hermann has continued his run spree with an undefeated 90 (48 balls, 9×4, 5×6) against Warwickshire in the T20 Blast and a century in the four-day fixture against Nottinghamshire.

Conrad believes Hermann’s form bodes well as the Proteas look to build their batting depth leading into a congested international summer.

“Like I said, right at the beginning, I think the more caps we can build or the more caps we can get in and amongst our younger players when they step up in the big series,” he said.

“And I say this with utmost respect to the Zim and Namibia series, but when they step up to a big series, then it’s always nice having 10 or 12 caps behind your name before you take that big step up.

“I think Jordan’s got a bright future across all formats.”