Ryan Rickelton is one of South Africa’s rising stars in cricket. Many fans believe he will become one of the best wicketkeeper-batsmen for his country in the coming years. He is known for his stylish batting, calm nature, and sharp wicketkeeping skills. He has already impressed everyone with his performances for the Proteas and domestic teams. Let’s read his full story — from childhood, family, height, age, girlfriend, career journey, controversies, and more.
| Full Name | Ryan Nicholas Rickelton |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Ryan Rickelton |
| Profession | Cricketer (Wicketkeeper-Batsman) |
| Date of Birth | July 11, 1996 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 29 Years |
| Birthplace | Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Nationality | South African |
| Height | 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) |
| Batting Style | Left-handed Batsman |
| Role | Wicketkeeper-Batsman |
| Father’s Name | Glen Rickelton |
| Mother’s Name | Not Publicly Known |
| Siblings | Not Publicly Known |
| Marital Status | Single (as of 2025) |
| Girlfriend | Not Known / Private |
| Hobbies | Fishing, Golf, Road Trips |
| Domestic Team | Lions, Gauteng |
| SA20 Team | MI Cape Town |
| First Test Debut | March 31, 2022 vs Bangladesh |
| First ODI Debut | March 18, 2023 vs West Indies |
| Controversies | None |
Early Life and Childhood
Ryan Nicholas Rickelton was born on July 11, 1996, in Johannesburg, South Africa. He grew up in a loving family that always supported his dream to play cricket. Ryan’s father, Glen Rickelton, is a big cricket fan and played club cricket in his younger days. His mother, whose name is not much known to fans, was always there to help him stay focused on his studies and practice.
As a young boy, Ryan would spend hours playing backyard cricket with his father and friends. He would also watch cricket matches on TV and dream of wearing the green and gold Proteas jersey. He attended St. Stithians College, the same school where Kagiso Rabada also studied. There, Ryan polished his cricket skills and became a star player in school matches.
Ryan worked hard every single day. He trained at the famous Wanderers Stadium nets, where he faced older bowlers and learned how to handle pressure. His coaches always said that Ryan had a special talent for staying calm and playing smart shots under pressure.
Family Details
Ryan Rickelton’s family is very supportive and proud of his achievements. His father, Glen, often watches his matches from the stands or on TV. Ryan sometimes shares photos with his dad on social media, showing how close they are.
His mother prefers to stay away from the limelight but plays a big role in his life. Ryan often says that his mom is his biggest supporter and helps him stay grounded.
Ryan has not shared much about any brothers or sisters, so many people believe he may be an only child. He loves to spend time with his family when he is not busy playing matches.
Height, Age, and Physical Appearance
Ryan Rickelton is 29 years old as of 2025. He is young, fit, and still has many years of cricket left in him. He stands around 5 feet 10 inches tall (178 cm). He has an athletic build because he works out regularly to keep himself fit for wicketkeeping and batting.
Ryan has short brown hair and kind blue eyes. Fans often say he has a friendly smile and a calm face that makes him look very humble. His fitness and sharp eyes help him stay quick behind the stumps and play long innings.
Ryan Rickelton’s Cricket Career
Domestic Cricket Hero
Ryan Rickelton started his professional career playing for Gauteng and later for the Lions team. He showed his talent early by scoring big runs in domestic matches. He is known for playing beautiful cover drives and lofted shots over the infield.
In the 2017–18 season, he was the top run-scorer in the CSA Provincial One-Day Challenge. He scored more than 350 runs in that season alone. He continued his good form in the 4-Day Franchise Series too, scoring centuries and half-centuries consistently.
His strong performances in domestic cricket helped him earn a place in South Africa’s national squad. Many coaches believe Ryan’s calm mind and fearless batting make him special.
International Debut
Ryan Rickelton made his Test debut for South Africa in March 2022 against Bangladesh. Even though he was new, he looked confident and handled the bowling well. He showed good technique and a calm head, which impressed his teammates and fans.
In the years after, he played more Tests and ODIs. He is yet to play in T20Is regularly but many people believe he will soon get a chance. He has already scored important runs for the team in tough conditions. He loves opening the batting and sometimes plays in the middle order too.
Wicketkeeping Skills
Ryan is not just a good batsman — he is also a sharp wicketkeeper. He has quick hands and good reflexes. He takes neat catches and does quick stumpings. His coaches say that he always works extra hard on his keeping drills.
He trains with senior keepers and learns new techniques. He believes that wicketkeeping is a special job because the keeper needs to focus every ball and help the bowlers by giving tips.
Playing in T20 Leagues
Ryan Rickelton has played in South Africa’s SA20 league. He represents the MI Cape Town team, where he opens the batting. He has played many match-winning knocks and is slowly becoming a big name in T20 cricket.
Franchise teams love him because he can keep wickets and bat aggressively at the top. Many experts say he may get picked in the IPL soon because of his talent and calm nature.
Love Life and Girlfriend
Ryan Rickelton likes to keep his love life private. As of 2025, he has not shared any photos or details about a girlfriend. He once said in an interview that he wants to focus on his cricket right now. He enjoys spending time with family and friends when he is not playing.
He believes that relationships need time and respect, and right now, he wants to work hard on his game. Fans respect his decision and love him for staying grounded.
Friendships in Cricket
Ryan is very friendly in the dressing room. He shares a good bond with Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Aiden Markram, and other young South African players. He often chats with Quinton de Kock to learn more wicketkeeping tricks.
Teammates say Ryan’s calm nature helps the team during tough matches. He loves to joke around but always stays serious when it is game time.
Controversies
Ryan Rickelton has kept a clean image since his debut. He has not been part of any big controversies. He respects his seniors, umpires, and teammates. He believes that staying humble and disciplined is very important.
So far, there has been no big argument or off-field issue involving him. Fans love that he stays away from drama and focuses only on cricket.
Records and Achievements
Even though Ryan’s international career is still young, he has achieved some good milestones:
- He was the top run-scorer for Lions in multiple domestic seasons.
- He scored a half-century in his second Test match.
- He helped his domestic team win the 4-Day Franchise Series.
- He is becoming a regular wicketkeeper-batsman option for South Africa in all formats.
Many experts believe he will score thousands of runs for the Proteas in the next few years.
Fitness and Lifestyle
Ryan Rickelton trains hard to stay fit. He does strength training, running, and keeping drills every day. He knows that being a wicketkeeper means you need strong legs and sharp reflexes.
He eats balanced meals with lots of fresh veggies, lean meat, and healthy snacks. He drinks plenty of water and avoids junk food during the season. He also meditates sometimes to keep his mind calm.
Life Outside Cricket
When Ryan is not playing cricket, he loves fishing and playing golf. He enjoys going on road trips with friends and exploring South Africa’s beautiful nature.
He likes to spend quiet time with family. He sometimes visits schools and clubs to inspire young kids to take up cricket. He believes that children from all walks of life should get a chance to chase their dreams.
Future Plans
Ryan Rickelton wants to be South Africa’s best wicketkeeper-batsman for many years. He dreams of winning big ICC trophies for his country. He also wants to score Test centuries against top teams like India, Australia, and England.
One day, he hopes to captain his team and guide young players. He says he will always stay humble and never forget where he came from.
