An opening batsman with fabled powers of adhesion, suiting his name, McGlew set records in the 1950s for slow scoring.

But within 18 months, he was both a fixture in the Test side and vice-captain as South Africa held the strong Australians to a series draw in 1952–53.

He had a poor Test series, and the tour was blighted by controversy over the bowling action of the South African fast bowler, Geoff Griffin, who was no-balled for throwing at Lord's.

Batting at number eight or nine, he played some useful innings while leading Natal to victory in the Currie Cup in 1966–67, then retired from first-class cricket.

In retirement, he briefly threw in his hat with pro-apartheid politics[3] at one point standing as a candidate for the ruling National Party, before moving into business.