Cricket South Africa Names New All-Format Coach

South Africa has decided to put its faith in Shukri Conrad as the team’s new coach, giving him full control of the national men’s cricket team across all three formats. Already in charge of the Test side, Conrad will now coach the ODI and T20 teams as well, replacing Rob Walter, who stepped down in April.

Conrad’s role as head coach of South Africa will run until the 2027 ODI World Cup, which the nation will host. It is being reported that CSA chose to offer him the post without opening up a formal search.

“I’m truly honoured to be entrusted with the responsibility of leading the national team across all three formats,” Conrad said. “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.”

Conrad was in the running to be South Africa’s all-format coach when CSA was replacing Mark Boucher in 2022. Though he was picked to lead the Test side, he briefly stepped in for Walter in early 2023, helping South Africa win a crucial ODI series against England that secured their spot in the World Cup.

The South African has already earned plaudits for his work with the Test team. South Africa has currently won seven consecutive Tests under him and has a World Test Championship final against Australia coming up. Though this is his first international coaching job, he brings years of domestic experience, having won four titles as coach of the Lions and Cobras, including three in white-ball formats.

The leadership group now includes Temba Bavuma, who captains the Test and ODI sides, and Aiden Markram, who leads the T20s. With Conrad in charge across the board, CSA hopes this will create a stronger, more connected team culture. The road to the 2027 World Cup begins now, and South Africa believes Conrad is the right man to take them there.