Proteas captain Faf du Plessis won South Africa’s Cricketer of the Year award on Saturday.
Leading from the front in what was a difficult year for the national team, Du Plessis took over from fast bowler Kagiso Rabada who won the award last year.
Du Plessis scored South Africa’s only century at the World Cup as they failed to make the playoffs and was also rewarded with the ODI Player of the Year award.
The 35-year-old first-time winner wasn’t the only captain to win the Player of the Year award, with Proteas women’s leader Dane van Niekerk, holding on to the award she’s won three times in the last four years.
Of the captains, CSA CEO Thabang Moroe says: “Faf and Dane have both had very good years, both as contributors in their specific disciplines and also in the leadership qualities they bring to our two senior national sides.
“It is quite remarkable that over the past few years Faf has led the Proteas to home and away ODI Series wins over Australia as well as our first ever home Test series win against the same opponents.”
WOMEN'S WINNER: SA's Dane van Niekerk. Photo: Ryan Wilkisy/BackpagePix.
Wicketkeeper/batsman Quinton de Kock, won the Test Cricketer of the Year award, while David Miller won the T20 Cricket of the year award.
Domestically, Cape Cobras captain Dane Piedt won the four-day competition’s Player of the Year award.
Meanwhile, CSA also announced a new structure that will see the team manager taking charge of the players and coaching staff.
A statement explains: “[The team manager] will take overall charge of all aspects of the team, but also ensure an effective manner of cricket governance and greater accountability.
KING COBRA: Dane Piedt. Photo: BackpagePix.
“The team manager will appoint his coaching staff as well as the captain of the Proteas; the coaches, the medical staff and the administrative staff will all report directly to him.
“In terms of the new structure the team manager, similar to football-style structures, will report to the (Acting) Director of Cricket [Corrie van Zyl] who will in turn report to the Chief Executive.”
Selected award winners:
Cricketer of the Year:
Faf du Plessis
Women’s Cricketer of the Year:
Dane van Niekerk
Test Cricketer of the Year:
Quinton de Kock
ODI Cricketer of the Year:
Faf du Plessis
T20I Cricketer of the Year:
David Miller
SA Players’ Player of the Year:
Faf du Plessis
Fans’ Player of the Year:
Kagiso Rabada
Newcomer of the Year:
Rassie van der Dussen
Four-day franchise Series Cricketer of the Season:
Dane Piedt (Cape Cobras)
One-Day Cup Cricketer of the Season:
Junior Dala (Titans)
CSA T20 Challenge Player of the Season:
Bjorn Fortuin (Highveld Lions)