Shukri Conrad named all-format South Africa head coach on back of red-ball success

Coaching veteran Shukri Conrad is set to take charge of the South African cricket team in all three formats of the game after Rob Walter resigned from white-ball duties midway through his contract. Walter was set to stay at the helm till 2027 after leading the Proteas to semi-finals in both global ICC ODI tournaments as well as the final of the T20 World Cup but resigned in April owing to personal reasons.

Conrad had previously taken charge of the ODI team during the interim period between Mark Boucher's departure in 2022 and Walter's subsequent appointment, for a three-match series against England. The Proteas had emerged victorious and secured qualification for the 2023 World Cup in the process, but Conrad was eventually given the go ahead for just the Test squad despite applying for all-formats.

‌"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," the CSA quoted Conrad as saying.

During his tenure as Test coach, Conrad has led South Africa to a seven-match winning streak that has culminated in a World Test Championship Final date with Australia at the Lord's, beginning June 11. Having appointed Temba Bavuma as skipper upon the retirement of Dean Elgar, the side went through the entire 2023-25 cycle with just one series loss to their name -- that too while fielding a second-string squad for a two-match series in New Zealand.