James Bryant was born on 4th February 1976 in Durban, South Africa. He has played first class cricket for Eastern Province, batting at number three. In season 1999/2000, he had the highest aggregate of runs in South African first class cricket scoring 928 runs at an average of almost 55, including four centuries (two in one match against Western Province).

A right hand batsman and right arm medium pace bowler, he toured the West Indies with South Africa 'A' in the autumn of 2000, and Ireland and Scotland with the South African Academy in 1999. Last season, he was professional for the West of Scotland club.