Rob Walter and Shukri Conrad. Photo: Twitter
BREAKING: CSA unveil TWO new Proteas coaches!
Cricket South Africa have confirmed the appointments of Shukri Conrad and Rob Walter as the new Proteas coaches in a split-role system.
Rob Walter and Shukri Conrad. Photo: Twitter
For quite some time, CSA have been on the hunt for the preferred coaches to take over from Mark Boucher, with the decision having previously been made to hand the responsibilities to two coaches. One will take care of the Proteas’ Test side, while the other will coach the limited-overs teams.
On Monday, and as expected, CSA confirmed that Shukri Conrad and Rob Walter will step into the unique roles. Conrad will be in charge of the Test setup, while Walter will be in charge of the shorter formats of the game.
CSA chief executive Pholetsi Moseki said the appointment of a specialist Test coach was an indication of the importance of the longer format despite CSA having reduced the number of fixtures in order to accommodate a new T20 league.
“We haven’t relegated test cricket to the margins,” said Moseki. “We want to invest to get test cricket back to the standard we expect.”
CSA director of cricket Enoch Nkwe also said a “massive goal” for Walter was to work towards the 2027 Cricket World Cup, which South Africa will co-host with Zimbabwe and Namibia.
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Prior to this announcement, Malibongwe Maketa served as the interim Proteas Test coach for the disappointing tour to Australia. Maketa was said to be among the candidates considered for a permanent position along with Richard Pybus, Adi Birrel and Lance Klusener, before the latter withdrew.
Neither Conrad or Walter has been at the helm of a senior international side before, but both have previously worked extensively in South Africa’s domestic set-up.
THE PROTEAS HAVE DESPERATELY NEEDED TO CONFIRM A NEW COACHING LEADERSHIP
The vacancy for the Proteas coaching role follows as a result of Mark Boucher’s decision in September to quit as national coach following the completion of the ongoing T20 World Cup.
Boucher was named as the new Mumbai Indians Indian Premier League (IPL) coach shortly after his announcement to step down from the South Africa job.
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