Jacques Kallis is a famous cricket player from South Africa. He played many matches and scored lots of runs. Known for both batting and bowling, he helped his team in many games. A strong and steady player. Loved by fans around the world.
Biography
| Full Name | Jacques Henry Kallis OIS |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 16 October 1975 |
| Nationality | South African |
| Role | Cricket Coach and Former Professional Cricketer |
| Playing Style | Right-handed batsman, Right-arm fast-medium swing bowler |
| Career Span | Retired from international cricket on 30 July 2014 |
| Test Matches Played | 166 |
| Test Runs Scored | 13,289 |
| Test Batting Average | Over 55 |
| Test Wickets Taken | 292 |
| Test Catches | 200 |
| Test Centuries | 45 (4th highest in history) |
| ODI Runs Scored | More than 10,000 |
| ODI Wickets Taken | Over 250 |
| ODI Catches | 131 |
| Unique Achievement | Only cricketer to score 10,000+ runs and take 250+ wickets in both ODI and Test cricket (as of 2025) |
| Man of the Match Awards (Test) | 23 (Most in Test history) |
| Major Awards & Honors |
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| Notable Performances |
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| Coaching Role | Rejoined South African national cricket team as batting consultant in December 2019 |
Early Life
Jacques Kallis was born in South Africa. He grew up in a town called Wynberg. As a child, he loved playing cricket. Later, he moved to play for the Claremont Cricket Club. This helped him get noticed by a coach named Duncan Fletcher. From there, his cricket journey began to grow step by step. Simple beginnings, but important ones.
Family
| Relation | Name | About |
|---|---|---|
| Father | Henry Kallis | Henry was very close to Jacques. He supported Jacques in his cricket career. He was a strong and caring father. |
| Mother | Mercia Kallis | Mercia was a loving mother. She helped Jacques grow up in a happy home and encouraged him in sports. |
| Sibling | Janine Kallis | Janine is Jacques’ sister. They share a good relationship and grew up together in Cape Town, South Africa. |
Jacques Kallis comes from a close family. His father, Henry, was a big support in his life and cricket. His mother, Mercia, cared for the family and made sure everyone was happy. Jacques has a sister named Janine. They spent their childhood in Cape Town. The family helped Jacques become the person he is today. They stayed united through good and hard times.
Height, Weight, And Other Body Measurements
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
| Weight | 90 kg (198 lbs) |
| Bowling Speed | Approx. 147.6 km/h (92 mph) |
| Batting Style | Right-handed |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm fast-medium |
Wife/husband / Girlfriend/boyfriend
Jacques Kallis is currently married to Charlene Engels. They got married on a Sunday, in a ceremony that was talked about by many cricket fans. Charlene Engels is known to be a supportive partner and they have a family together. They have at least one child, a baby girl, who brought much happiness to their lives.
Current Relationship Status
- Partner: Charlene Engels
- Married: Yes
- Marriage Date: Married on a Sunday (exact date not widely publicized)
- Children: They have a daughter
- Additional Info: Charlene is often seen supporting Jacques and sharing moments of their family life.
Previous Relationships
Before marrying Charlene Engels, Jacques Kallis was in a relationship with Cindy Nell. There is also information about a model named Shamone Jardim, who was once in a relationship with him. They had separated for some years but appeared to have reunited briefly. However, his long-term commitment is with Charlene Engels.
Summary Of Relationship History
| Partner Name | Relationship Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Charlene Engels | Wife | Married; they have a daughter together |
| Cindy Nell | Girlfriend (past) | Previous relationship before marriage |
| Shamone Jardim | Girlfriend (past) | Separated, then reunited briefly |
In short, Jacques Kallis is happily married now and enjoys family life with Charlene Engels and their child. His past relationships are known but less public than his marriage.
Career, Achievements And Controversies
Jacques Kallis is known as one of the best cricketers from South Africa. He became famous because of his strong batting and good bowling. People saw him as a reliable player who could do well in many parts of the game. He was called an all-rounder because he was good at both batting and bowling.
Kallis started his international cricket career in the late 1990s. He played for the South African national team in many matches. Over the years, he scored many runs and took many wickets. He made two double hundreds (scores of 200 runs or more in one game) in Test cricket, which is a big achievement. His steady batting helped his team in many important matches. He was known for playing well in both Test matches and One Day Internationals (ODIs).
- Kallis won the ICC Test Player of the Year award.
- He was also named joint Player of the Year at the ICC Awards.
- He received the Order of Ikhamanga, a South African national honor.
- Kallis scored over 10,000 runs in both Test and ODI cricket.
- He took more than 200 wickets in Test matches, making him a top all-rounder.
- Kallis holds many records, including the most Man of the Match awards in Test cricket.
Jacques Kallis’s career was mostly free from big controversies. He was known for being professional and focused on the game. However, some critics said that his batting style was sometimes slow or boring. They felt he did not always score quickly in limited-overs games. But this was more a question of style than any problem off the field.
No serious scandals or disputes involved Kallis during his career. He is respected for his calm and steady approach to cricket.
Faq
Who Is Jacques Kallis?
Jacques Kallis is a former South African cricket player. He is known for being very good at both batting and bowling.
What Made Jacques Kallis Special?
Kallis was special because he was great at many parts of cricket. He scored many runs and took many wickets. Not many players can do both well.
How Long Did Jacques Kallis Play Cricket?
Kallis played international cricket for about 18 years. He started in 1995 and retired in 2014.
What Are Some Records Of Jacques Kallis?
Kallis scored over 10,000 runs in both Test and One Day International cricket. He also took more than 200 wickets in each format.
Did Jacques Kallis Play In World Cups?
Yes, Kallis played in several Cricket World Cups. He helped South Africa reach the later stages many times.
What Did Jacques Kallis Do After Retirement?
After retiring, Kallis became a cricket coach. He shares his experience to help new players improve.

Mayank Chaudhary is a former Indian domestic cricketer, now working as a cricket analyst. With years of on-field experience and deep insight into the dynamics of the game and the world of cricket betting, he now shares his expertise to help fellow cricket enthusiasts make smarter, more informed bets. Learn more on the About Me page.