The Proteas have had several coaches in previous years, and with the team’s performances and form plummeting, many have called for a mental and performance personnel to be integrated into the locker room. Under the new leadership, it now looks like that could be a reality, writes Avuyile Sawula.
CSA Director of Cricket, Enoch Nkwe, confirmed on Monday the appointments of Shukri Conrad and Rob Walter as the new Proteas head coaches for the red and white ball formats, respectively.
Nkwe, who stated that the coaches would take on long-term projects, with the 2027 World Cup and World Test Championship being part of the “bigger focus,” said the two were chosen with the responsibility of leading the team forward to greater heights in all formats.
“It gives me great pleasure to announce the two coaches that will be leading us forward and taking our team to greater heights,” Nkwe said.
“In terms of their leadership, they are strong and clear on their minds in terms of how to move SA Cricket forward in all formats.”
The Proteas have been far from convincing in recent years, something visible even to blind men.
Their inconsistent results have raised eyebrows, with ex-players questioning the team’s morale and mood in the locker room.
Nkwe also admitted that their decision to hire the pair was influenced by this and their ability to assist players mentally and help them perform better.
“One thing that stood out from the coaches is the mental aspect of the game,” he said.
“Understanding what is required for the environment to excel. Whether a mental or performance coach will help the players on a human element, that’s going to be critical.”
“I know they are looking for someone to bring on board and to help players move forward.
“We don’t want a situation where it’s a once-off thing we need to make sure that person is part of the environment for a period to help the players move forward. So definitely there will be a performance coach.”
The two coaches will begin with their duties on the 1st of February, while a stand-in coach will be announced for the upcoming crucial ODI series against England.
Get to know your Proteas coaches:
Shukri Conrad (Test)
Shukri Conrad played five matches for the Western Province “B” side during unity before becoming a coach at an early age and was appointed by Gauteng B coach from 1999– 2001, the Highland Strikers for two years, and then the Lions in 2004.
He enjoyed success with the Strikers, winning the 1-Day Cup, before returning to Cape Town to coach the Cape Cobras at Newlands.
At the Cobras (now named WP Blitz) Conrad played a major role in developing future Proteas – JP Duminy, Vernon Philander, Rory Kleinveldt, Stiaan van Zyl and managing senior internationals such as Ashwell Prince, Graeme Smith, Herschelle Gibbs and Justin Kemp.
Conrad won trophies across all formats: MTN 1-Day Cup, Standard Bank Pro20 title, and first-class SuperSport Series title, and led the Cobras to the semi-finals of the inaugural Airtel Champions League T20 semi-finals in India.
After being surprisingly let go, after winning the SuperSport Series title in April 2010 and get became the coach of Uganda.
After a short stint, he returned to South Africa. He was appointed National Academy coach and also took the South Africa “A” team on a tour of England and was Emerging coach.
He became SA U19 coach for the past couple of seasons. In this team he coached the likes of Dewald Brevis and Matthew Boast at the recent ICC U19 World Cup in the Caribbean.
Conrad’s most recent success was with the SA U19 team that emerged victorious in Cricket SA’s Division 2 T20 Challenge.
Rob Walter (White-Ball)
Walters was in the Proteas’ changing room before, when he worked for six years as the national team’s fitness trainer.
He was also involved at the Delhi Daredevils and Pune Warriors in the Indian Premier League.
He became a head coach at the Titans in 2013, where he won three trophies before moving to New Zealand.
Walter coached the Otago Volts for five years and has since transferred to the Central Stags.
