Enoch Nkwe: Who is the Proteas new man in charge?

Enoch Nkwe has tasted success in his first season heading a high-level franchise, and will now take on an even bigger challenge – leading the Proteas on their tour to India, starting in September.

The 36-year-old was recently unveiled as the senior national men’s team’s interim team director – a new role that follows a shake-up of the structures in the setup.

Who is Enoch Nkwe?

Born in Soweto, Nkwe was a all-rounder during his playing career, but a devastating injury saw it come to a premature halt, as he focused his energies on coaching.

He spent most of his career as a batting all-rounder, smashing three first-class centuries for Gauteng as well as the Highveld Lions in 42 matches.

Teams coached

Nkwe is relatively new to coaching – at least in top-level cricket – having only assumed a head coach role for the first time in 2018.

Prior to taking over the reins at the Lions, he had a stint in the Netherlands, where he was a club coach and has served as an assistant for South Africa’s women’s national team.

He was also assistant to Geoff Toyana, whom he eventually succeeded at the Lions.

Nkwe was also placed in charge of the Wanderers-based Mzansi Super League T20 (MSL T20) franchise the Jozi Stars in the tournament’s inaugural season in 2018.

Trophies won

He has enjoyed immediate success after just one season as a head coach.

Nkwe made history with the Jozi Stars, as they became the first-ever winners of the MSL T20, beating the Cape Town Blitz in the final.

He followed that up by leading the Lions to the Four-Day Franchise Series title before claiming yet another piece of silverware with the team – CSA T20 Challenge.

He also served as assistant to Donovan Miller at the Vancouver Knights in the Global T20 Canada series.

The Knights were victorious in the 2018 edition of the tournament, and were runners-up up in the 2019 event.

His first assignment with the Proteas 

It’s a big one, an away Test series against India as South Africa begin their campaign in the World Test Championship.

The former Lions man will have to do without a couple of veterans in Dale Steyn and Has him Amla, who both announced retirement from the long format.

However, there is some promising talent at his disposal, with the likes of Anrich Nortje, Senuran Muthusamy and Rudi Second in line for Test debuts on the tour.