As to the beginning of the career of the cricketer, it took place in 2005, when Dean won the South African Country Districts Player of the Year award after few impressive stints within Free State. In 2006, Elgar took part in the World Cup, where he was the skipper of the South African. Later he played for Free State and Knights. Many selectors were attracted by his solid achievements on the field.

Elgar showed a lot of promise in his formative years, but it took him nearly six years to impress the South Africa selectors. In early 2012, Sri Lankan ODI series selected Dean. Unfortunately, due to the stating injury reasons, he withdrew. Much more success was achieved in a match against England, which was abandoned because of rain, and in second match, in which he scored 15 innings before Graeme Swann bowled him. Bowling his left-arm spin, Elgar had Craig Kieswetter caught out off only his third delivery in ODI Cricket.

On the 30th of November 2012, Elgar made his test debut against Australia and scored a duck in his maiden test innings. He continued his success with another duck in the second innings to complete a pair of ducks on debut. On the 12th of January 2013, the maiden test century was scored against New Zealand. As soon as Graeme Smith had retired, Elgar got an opportunity to be regularly on his specialist position at the top of the order in Test cricket. There were 103 scores on Elgar’s account against Sri Lanka, that took place on 16 July 2014.

The next achievements were made against West Indies at St George's Oval and Elgar ended game with 121 scores. The most interesting fact is - that it was the place where he scored almost half of his career international test runs, and recorded the most fifties. Elgar was also claimed to be the first South African to carry his bat in a Test innings on 28 December 2015. The person, who preceded him and finished 118 not out against England was Gary Kirsten in 1997.

On 5 November 2016, Elgar made 127 scores during the first Test against Australia at Perth. Later, the partnership of 250 by himself and JP Duminy in the match, was recorded a South Africa's highest partnership in Perth, the third highest overall in Perth, and their second highest against Australia. As to the personal life in his biography, he wasn’t noted with any girlfriend or wife. There were some rumors that Elgar is a homosexual. Elgar Dean also has his own batting style – left-hand bat, and his own bowling style – slow left-arm orthodox. Elgar is very private person, his net worth is still unknown.