Sometimes, it’s the little things—or little people—that remind us why we love sport.
And in South Africa’s cricket world, one nine-year-old boy has stolen the hearts of fans everywhere. His name? Daniel Winks.
His passion? Off the charts. His cricket skills? Already turning heads.
Waiting Hours Just to Meet His Hero, Temba Bavuma
Fresh off their victory in the World Test Championship, the Proteas landed back in South Africa to much fanfare.
But no one was more excited than young Daniel.
He was seen waiting eagerly at OR Tambo International Airport, hoping to meet his cricket idol, Temba Bavuma.
And yes, he knew the entire squad lineup by heart.
This wasn’t just a kid hoping for an autograph—it was a superfan greeting his heroes after they ended a 27-year drought in ICC trophies by beating Australia at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground.
This Isn’t Just Passion—The Kid Can Seriously Play
Daniel isn’t just watching cricket—he’s living it. At just nine years old, he’s already being called a “batting all-rounder to watch.”
He plays U9 cricket for Wanderers and trains with the Graham MacMillan High Performance Academy.
Oh, and he occasionally steps up to represent U9 and U11 teams at the South African Cricket Academy.
His numbers? Best bowling stats of 3 wickets for just 1 run in 3 overs, and a high score of 74 runs off 44 balls.
That’s not kid-level excitement. That’s future-star material.
Hitting Sixes and Winning Hearts
One of Daniel’s viral moments shows him blasting a six to reach a stylish half-century in an U11 match.
It’s the kind of confidence, technique, and flair you’d expect from a seasoned player, not a child in primary school.
This is the kind of moment that inspires—not just young cricketers, but grown-up fans too.
The Next Generation Is Here—and He’s on Instagram
Daniel is part of a wave of young talent being inspired by the Proteas’ resurgence.
And if you want to follow along on his cricket journey, he’s already sharing updates on Instagram under the handle @danielthecricketer.
From dreamy airport encounters to smashing sixes in his weekend games, this kid is just getting started.