Former Proteas off-spinner Pat Symcox has become one of the leading property agents on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast, Daily Investor reported.
Symcox is the owner, broker and principal of RE/MAX Coast and Country. The business works in Port Shepstone, Scottburgh, Shelly Beach and Southbroom.
He launched the company in 2007. It now runs six franchises in the province and has 60 property agents. It has also grown inland by buying the Pinetown franchise.
The agency handles home sales, commercial property and long-term rentals. Its main focus remains the KZN South Coast.
“The cricket scene allowed me to understand the dynamics of a team. I understand very quickly where you fit in because I’ve seen that over many years,” Symcox told Business Sense.
“If you can’t fit into this team, you’ve unfortunately got to go. And I’m big on that. Nobody’s better than my team, including me,” he said.
Symcox moved into property after he stopped working as a SuperSport cricket commentator in 2006. SuperSport had signed him after he retired as a player in 1999.
He was born in Kimberley in 1960. His father, Rodger, played provincial cricket for Griqualand West.
The Symcox family is one of only ten families with three generations of first-class cricketers. The line runs from Rodger to Pat and then to Russell Symcox.
Symcox finished school at Kimberley Boys’ High School. At the time, South Africa was banned from international sport, so he did not plan to play cricket for a living.
After his military service, he worked as a diamond sorter for De Beers. He kept playing cricket for Griqualand West during this time.
He later worked as a municipal accountant. He then joined the Medicor Hospital Group, where he managed a private hospital and became the group’s credit manager.
While at Medicor, he completed a sport psychology degree at the University of Pietermaritzburg.
Symcox started out as an opening batsman. After moving to Natal, he became a tall right-arm off-break bowler.
When South Africa returned to international cricket, he made his Proteas debut at 33. He played under captains Kepler Wessels and Hansie Cronje.
He played 20 Test matches and 80 one-day internationals. He took 37 Test wickets and 72 one-day wickets.
His best moment came with the bat against Pakistan. He walked out at number 10 with South Africa on 166 for 8.
Symcox scored 108 runs and shared a 195-run stand with Mark Boucher. Daily Investor said it was the highest ninth-wicket partnership in history.
He was known as a fiery player who often provoked crowds. At the Sydney Cricket Ground, an Australian fan once threw a whole roast chicken at him.
Outside business, Symcox is the regional chairman of the KZN Growth Coalition. The group focuses on infrastructure investment and economic growth in the province.
He also chairs the South Coast Tourism Committee.
Source: this article is based on reporting by Daily Investor. Image: Daily Investor. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Sports desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Tiyani Mathebula writes about sport for Tzaneen Voice. Tiyani covers Bafana Bafana, the Springboks, the Proteas and the PSL, along with athletics, tennis and local club sport. Match reports and previews focus on results, team news, fixtures and what each game means for South African teams and fans.