Ottniel Emile Graham Baartman is a South African right-arm medium-fast bowler who represents his country in international cricket. Currently an active player, he plays for Paarl Royals in the SA20 league and the Dolphins in domestic cricket. Standing at 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm), the 32-year-old is known for his death-overs control, sharp yorkers, and smart variations like the knuckleball.
In recent months, he has been part of South Africa’s T20I setup as well as the SA20 2024 season, where his consistent wicket-taking spells and calm performances under pressure earned him a spot in South Africa’s 2024 T20 World Cup squad. His finest moment came in the SA20 2024 season, where he delivered match-winning spells for Sunrisers Eastern Cape and emerged as one of the tournament’s standout bowlers. However, his main downside remains occasional injury concerns and struggles with pace consistency, which sometimes limit his availability and impact in longer tournaments. Despite this, Baartman is widely regarded as one of South Africa’s most promising and dependable short-format seamers.
Personal Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ottniel Emile Graham Baartman |
| Nickname | N/A |
| Height | 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) |
| Date of Birth | March 18, 1993 |
| Age | 32 years |
| Place of Birth | Oudtshoorn, Western Cape, South Africa |
| Religion | N/A |
| Status | N/A |
Playing Style
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Batting Style | Right-hand bat |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm medium-fast |
| Primary Role | Bowler |
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Jersey Number
| Format | Jersey Number |
|---|---|
| International | 11 |
| SA20 League | 10 |
Debut Dates
| Format | Date | Opponent | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| ODI | December 17, 2024 | Pakistan | Paarl |
| T20I | May 23, 2024 | West Indies | Sabina Park, Kingston |
SA20 Salary by year
| Year | Team | Reported Salary (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Sunrisers Eastern Cape | N/A |
| 2024 | Sunrisers Eastern Cape | N/A |
| 2025 | Sunrisers Eastern Cape (retained) | N/A |
Net Worth and Assets
| Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Estimated Net Worth (2025) | ₹4-6 crore (approx. $500,000-$750,000 USD) |
| Central Contract | Cricket South Africa contract |
| Assets | Not publicly disclosed |
| Brand Endorsements | Not publicly disclosed |
Ottniel Baartman’s estimated net worth in 2025 ranges between ₹4–6 crore (approximately $500,000–$750,000 USD), primarily earned through his Cricket South Africa central contract and franchise cricket. His income from domestic leagues and SA20 appearances contributes significantly to his annual earnings.
Teams Played For
| Team | Years Active |
|---|---|
| South Africa | 2024-Present |
| Paarl Royals (SA20) | 2025-Present |
| Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SA20) | 2023-2024 |
| Dolphins | 2020-Present |
| Texas Super Kings (MLC) | 2024 |
| Knights | 2017-2020 |
Education
| Qualification | Institution |
|---|---|
| School | Bridgton Senior Secondary School, Oudtshoorn |
Complete Career Stats
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Best Bowling | Average | Economy | 4W | 5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI | 4 | 6 | 2/32 | 16.83 | 4.04 | 0 | 0 |
| T20I | 13 | 17 | 4/11 | 22.24 | 8.04 | 1 | 0 |
| First-Class | 40 | 109 | 7/27 | 27.16 | 3.02 | 4 | 2 |
| List A | 48 | 69 | 4/24 | 22.39 | 4.69 | 1 | 0 |
Ottniel Baartman Recent Form (Last Five Matches)
| Date | Opposition | Format | Venue | Wickets / Figures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14-Feb-2024 | Durban’s Super Giants | SA20 | Cape Town | 4/12 |
| 10-Feb-2024 | Joburg Super Kings | SA20 | Johannesburg | 3/19 |
| 7-Feb-2024 | Pretoria Capitals | SA20 | Gqeberha | 2/25 |
| 3-Feb-2024 | Paarl Royals | SA20 | Paarl | 1/18 |
| 30-Jan-2024 | MI Cape Town | SA20 | Cape Town | 3/27 |
Career Highlights
| Year | Achievement |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Made international T20I debut against West Indies |
| 2024 | Selected for South Africa’s T20 World Cup squad |
| 2024 | Took wicket with first ball in T20 World Cup vs Sri Lanka |
| 2024 | Named SA20 Bowler of Season 2 (18 wickets) |
| 2023-24 | Won back-to-back SA20 titles with Sunrisers Eastern Cape |
Major Trophies & Awards
| Year | Competition / Trophy | Team | Significance / Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019–2020 | CSA Provincial T20 Cup – Key Bowler | Knights / South Western Districts | Produced consistent wicket-taking spells, gaining early recognition in South African domestic cricket. |
| 2021 | CSA 4-Day Franchise Series – Breakthrough Performer | South Western Districts | Strong red-ball season that elevated his reputation and put him on the national radar. |
| 2022–2023 | CSA Domestic T20 Competition – Top Performer | South Western Districts | Sustained impressive form, finishing among the top bowlers across multiple matches. |
| 2023 | SA20 Champion (Inaugural Season) | Sunrisers Eastern Cape | Contributed to the team’s title-winning campaign in the first-ever SA20 league. |
| 2024 | SA20 Champion | Sunrisers Eastern Cape | Played a crucial part in helping the franchise secure back-to-back SA20 titles. |
| 2024 | SA20 Bowler of the Season | Sunrisers Eastern Cape | Awarded for outstanding bowling performance, finishing among the highest wicket-takers of the tournament. |
| 2024 | SA20 Final – Impact Bowling Spell | Sunrisers Eastern Cape | Delivered vital wickets in the knockout stages, strengthening the team’s championship win. |
Additional Achievements
| Category | Achievement | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Bowling Impact | Known for pinpoint accuracy and swing at medium-fast pace | Makes him one of South Africa’s most reliable short-format seamers. |
| SA20 Success | Delivered multiple match-winning spells across SA20 seasons | Became a crucial strike bowler for Sunrisers Eastern Cape. |
| Career Revival | Late-bloomer who rose to prominence after strong domestic seasons | Shows resilience and steady improvement in franchise cricket. |
| Consistency | Maintained an excellent economy rate in domestic T20s | Helped his teams control pressure phases in middle overs. |
| Recognition | Earned national attention after standout SA20 performances | Considered among the most improved bowlers in South African T20 cricket. |
| Team Role | Trusted as a death-overs specialist | Frequently chosen to bowl high-pressure overs due to control and variations. |
| Professional Growth | Transitioned from domestic talent to elite T20 franchise performer | Demonstrates strong development and adaptability across formats. |
Interesting Facts
• Baartman grew up in Bridgton, a township in Oudtshoorn, where his mother earned money doing laundry for families. The school sandwich and milkshake were often his only meal of the day.
• At 15 years old, he walked four to five kilometers to South Western Districts headquarters for trials, making this journey two to three times a week after school without ever arriving late.
• His first cricket spikes belonged to his uncle Douglas Baartman, who was six years older. Douglas lent them to Ottniel for matches, and when they tore, both repaired them together.
• Playing street cricket was expensive because hitting balls into neighbors’ yards meant losing them. Baartman bowled accurately to keep wickets falling and prevent losing balls, saving money for his friends.
• The Baartman family got their first television when Ottniel was a teenager. He spent entire days watching cricket on SABC 3 until his mother kicked him out to watch her soap operas.
• Vernon Philander became his bowling idol after watching him on TV. Baartman modeled his bowling accuracy and technique after the former Proteas star.
• With his first professional contract payment from the Knights at age 21, Baartman bought his mother a house. The family had lived in a shack for as long as he could remember.
• Despite having the chance to attend a private sports school, his mother refused, insisting on academics first. “You have to learn first before you can play sport,” she told him.
• Called up to South Africa’s Test squad against Pakistan in 2021, Baartman couldn’t travel due to medical reasons. His international debut finally came at 31 in T20Is.
• When people call about World Cup selection, Baartman admits he doesn’t answer because he doesn’t know about selection decisions, showing his humble nature despite success.
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Post Biography Summary
Born in Oudtshoorn, Ottniel Baartman is 32 years old and measures 5 feet 9 inches tall. His cricket journey through domestic leagues to the South African national team reflects perseverance and dedication. After winning consecutive SA20 championships with Sunrisers Eastern Cape and earning the league's Bowler of the Season award, he established himself as a reliable death-overs specialist for the Proteas across limited-overs formats.