He returned to first-class cricket in 1960–61, scoring 499 runs in six matches for Border at an average of 55.44, with five 50s. The next season, he was appointed captain of Border, and after one match he was selected for South Africa in the Third Test against New Zealand in Cape Town. Batting at number three he made only 11 and 20, but two weeks later, captaining a South African Colts XI against the New Zealanders on his home ground of East London, he hit 147 not out in the first innings, his first first-class century. He kept his place in the Test side and made 40 in the Fourth Test, and 7 and 10 in the Fifth.