South Africa announce new Test skipper
Cricket South Africa (CSA) named Temba Bavuma as Test captain as part of a restructure in the leadership group of the national team.
ODI skipper Bavuma will take over the reins of the red-ball team from Dean Elgar. The latter will remain available to play for the Proteas.
However, the 32-year-old has relinquished the T20I captaincy.
The new skipper for the South Africa T20I side will be named as part of the white-ball squad to face the West Indies next month.
Bavuma’s first task will be to lead the Proteas in the two-match Test series against the West Indies all set to begin from 28 February.
South Africa Director of Cricket (DoC) Enoch Nkwe welcomed Bavuma in the role of South Africa Test captaincy.
“Cricket South Africa would like to welcome Temba as the new captain of the Proteas Men’s national team,” Nkwe said.
“He is a player that has vast captaincy experience both at domestic level and on the international stage having led both the ODI and T20I teams since March 2021 when he was appointed. We trust he will deliver on all our expectations and help carry the team forward after some excellent work by his predecessor Dean during the same period.”
Nkwe went on to thank Dean Elgar for his contributions as South Africa Test captain.
“At the same time I would like to sincerely thank Dean for all his commitment to the role over the past two years. He helped the team navigate through some stormy waters and put them in good position on the ICC World Test Championship table.
“Both men have made us proud with the work they have done within the wider Proteas group and look forward to the next step in what is a new era for the Proteas under the leadership of dual coaches Shukri Conrad and Rob Walter.”
As a part of the restructure, CSA will review the National Selection Committee procedures. It decided to release Victor Mpitsang from his role as National Convenor of Selectors. The interim structure will see the head coaches of the respective teams play a leading role in squad selections.
