South African spinner Simon Harmer became only the fourth South African to reach 1,000 wickets in first-class cricket on 23 October 2025, during the second Test against Pakistan at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Harmer, who debuted in first-class cricket in 2009, has built a career defined by consistency and control. Before this series, he hadn’t played Test cricket since 2023, making his recall to the national team a surprise even to him. “I wasn’t expecting to be on the Pakistan tour,” Harmer said. “I want to compete on the biggest stage and deliver match-winning performances.”

Harmer’s First-Class Career Overview

• Five-wicket innings hauls: 58
• Ten-wicket match hauls: 14
• Best innings figures: 9/80 (Essex vs Derbyshire, 2021)

Harmer is now third on the list of South African bowlers with the most first-class wickets, behind Shaun von Berg (Boland) and Keshav Maharaj (Dolphins).

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All-Time First-Class Wickets Leaders

Maiden Test Five-for

Despite his prolific domestic career, Harmer had never taken a five-wicket haul in international cricket. That changed in Rawalpindi, where he claimed 6 wickets as Pakistan’s innings collapsed to 109 for 8, trailing South Africa by only 38 runs at lunch.

Key wickets:

• Babar Azam – 50 (LBW)
• Mohammad Rizwan – 1
• Noman Ali – 0
• Shaheen Shah Afridi – 0

Harmer’s tight lines and sharp turn, supported by Kagiso Rabada’s reverse swing, sparked a dramatic collapse. South Africa took 3 wickets for 4 runs, exposing Pakistan’s lower order and keeping themselves in strong contention for a rare win on Pakistani soil.

Legacy and Impact

Harmer’s achievement highlights both longevity and skill in professional cricket. After 58 first-class five-wicket hauls, finally claiming a Test fifer marks a career-defining moment. His accuracy, patience, and ability to exploit conditions make him a vital asset for South Africa, especially on spin-friendly pitches.

“I’ve always wanted to put in match-winning performances. Today, I finally did it at the international level,” Harmer reflected. Simon Harmer’s milestone cements his status as one of South Africa’s greatest spinners and a formidable figure in world cricket.