Cricket South Africa Discussion

[The Bald Eagle]

JOHANNESBURG: Cricket South Africa (CSA) wishes to announce the resignation of the Proteas Men’s white-ball head coach, Rob Walter, effective 30 April 2025

Walter has attributed his resignation to personal reasons, which CSA has accepted.

Walter, who has held the position since March 2023, has played an instrumental role in South Africa’s recent successes on the global stage.

Under his leadership, the Proteas made history by reaching their first-ever ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final in 2024, where they finished as runners up to India in Barbados. A record run of eight consecutive wins underpinned the campaign.

His tenure also saw the 50-over side reach the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in India.

In his time at the helm, Walter oversaw the national side in 36 One-Day Internationals and 31 T20 Internationals, with series wins against Netherlands, Australia, Ireland and Pakistan.

His final assignment was the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where he led the Proteas to another semi-final appearance, this time against New Zealand in Lahore in March.

“Coaching the Proteas has been an incredible honour, and I am immensely proud of what we have achieved together,” said Walter.

“The players, support staff, and the South African cricketing community have been fantastic throughout this journey. While it’s time for me to step away, I have no doubt that the team will continue to grow and reach even greater heights.”

Director of National Teams and High Performance Enoch Nkwe said: “Rob has done an immense job for South African cricket over the past two years.

“It is also important to recognise Rob’s commitment to expanding the talent pool across both formats. While in charge, he ensured that emerging players had the opportunity to develop and make their mark at the highest level, which will be critical for the future of the Proteas.

“We have a busy period of white-ball cricket over the next two years as we build towards the Cricket World Cup on home soil. His successor will continue to work towards that 50-over World Cup campaign, along with next year’s T20 World Cup.”

CSA Chief Executive Officer Pholetsi Moseki added: “Rob played a significant role in the rebuilding of the Proteas brand on the international stage. During his two years in charge, we have witnessed a significant increase in faith in South African cricket, largely due to the team's performance. His professionalism and work ethic have been exemplary, and he will undoubtedly be missed. On behalf of Cricket South Africa, we wish him all the success in the future.”

A successor will be announced in due course.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Proteas Men’s Contracted Squad 2025/26

Temba Bavuma (DP World Lions), David Bedingham (World Sports Betting Western Province), Nandre Burger (World Sports Betting Western Province), Gerald Coetzee (Momentum Multiply Titans), Tony de Zorzi (World Sports Betting Western Province), Reeza Hendricks (DP World Lions), Marco Jansen (North West Dragons), Keshav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Kwena Maphaka (DP World Lions), Aiden Markram (Momentum Multiply Titans), Wiaan Mulder (DP World Lions), Senuran Muthusamy (Dafabet Warriors), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Kagiso Rabada (DP World Lions), Ryan Rickelton (DP World Lions), Tristan Stubbs (Dafabet Warriors), Kyle Verreynne (World Sports Betting Western Province), and Lizaad Williams (Momentum Multiply Titans).

 

[BouncerGuy]

SHUKRI CONRAD APPOINTED PROTEAS MEN’S ALL-FORMAT HEAD COACH

JOHANNESBURG: Cricket South Africa (CSA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Shukri Conrad as the Proteas Men’s all-format head coach.

Conrad, who has led the Test side since January 2023, will now take charge of the white-ball formats starting with the T20 International tri-series against Zimbabwe and New Zealand in July.

The 58-year-old will oversee the national team across all formats through to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027, which will be hosted on home soil.

This appointment forms part of CSA’s broader restructuring of the national team strategy, which includes the reintroduction of a National Convenor of Selection.

CSA Director of National Teams and High Performance, Enoch Nkwe commented: “Shukri’s track record with the red-ball team speaks for itself. He has laid a solid foundation and instilled a strong identity within the Test environment. I’m excited to see him bring the profile and structure to the white-ball space.

“Having been part of the national setup over the past two years, he understands the demands of international cricket. He has also established sound relationships with the players and we have no doubt that he is the best person for the job. We are confident he will help us maintain our current upward trajectory and remain competitive across all three formats.”

Conrad said: “I’m truly honoured to be entrusted with the responsibility of leading the national team across all three formats. Coaching the Test side has been the greatest privilege of my cricket journey, and to now oversee the white-ball teams as well is something unbelievably special.

“I’m genuinely excited about the prospects that lie ahead. South African cricket has incredible white-ball talent, from the calibre of our senior players to the emerging group of juniors aspiring to represent the Proteas. There’s a strong foundation to build on, and I believe we have what it takes to achieve something special.

“We have a busy schedule ahead, starting with the WTC Final next month, the T20 World Cup next year and our very own 50-over World Cup to follow the year after.

“During this period, planning will be key for us as we look to manage our player base to ensure that the strongest teams can be fielded in every format. We want to obviously be the best in the world in all three forms of the game and that is no doubt my number one target and goal for the Proteas.”

Conrad’s next assignment will be the ICC World Test Championship Final against Australia, taking place from 11-15 June at Lord’s in London.

 

[Ball Blazer]

'International duties over franchise cricket': South Africa's new all-format coach announces

Shukri Conrad expects South Africa's players to put international fixtures ahead of league pursuits as he looks to build his white-ball squads for next year's T20 World Cup and the 2027 home ODI World Cup. Conrad, whose role was expanded from the Test team to all-format coach on Friday, explained that he had already started the process of long-term planning with centrally-contracted players, with a view to ensuring their availability.

"We're going to put out the best Proteas side every time we play," Conrad said at a press conference to announce his appointment on Friday. "I've had conversations with our players, all-format players and guys that only play the one format that are contracted to us, that at every turn when the Proteas play, there's an expectation that they'll play for South Africa.

"The Proteas will never be a franchise team, the Proteas will never be a league, nor will it be a convenience. This is part of building a culture and building an environment that players want to be part of. Every single player is committed to that and wanting to be a part of it so I can quite comfortably say that at every turn the best Proteas side will be put out on the field."

"This comes with careful planning and buy-in from everyone and I think going down this road just cleans up everything," he said. "It makes it less messy, [there will be] less conversation and less talk that can be quite polarising in many respects. It's clear; black and white: when South Africa plays, I want all my players available to play. If you choose not to play for South Africa, well, then we go down that road. Our all-format players have been spoken to. They are fully supportive of what I'm wanting to do and then we plan the year for them in advance."

 

[BouncerGuy]

NAMIBIA TO HOST PROTEAS MEN FOR HISTORIC T20I

JOHANNESBURG: Cricket South Africa (CSA) and Cricket Namibia are excited to announce a historic one-off T20 International (T20I) between the Namibia Eagles and the Proteas Men, set to take place at the FNB Namibia Cricket Ground (NCG) in Windhoek on 11 October.

This encounter will mark the first-ever international match between the two senior national sides - a significant milestone for African cricket.

It will also serve as the official opening of the FNB NCG, which will also be a host venue for the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2026 and the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2027.

CSA Chief Executive Officer, Pholetsi Moseki commented: “We are honoured to be part of this historic occasion. Namibia are a competitive side, and this fixture reflects the growing strength of cricket on the continent.

“As a fellow African cricketing nation and the host of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027, we are proud to support the official opening of this new cricket ground which will be one of the host venues of the tournament.”

Cricket Namibia Chief Executive Officer, Johan Muller added: “This truly is a memorable occasion. The new FNB NCG has been a dream for the last four years and has finally materialized. A match against our neighbours, and one of the top cricketing countries in the world, is the perfect way to open this world class facility.

“I want to thank CSA and specifically their CEO, Pholetsi Moseki, for agreeing to this match. We look forward to hosting the Proteas Men’s team and to partner with CSA in hosting the ICC Men’s World Cup in 2027.”