The Proteas’ new management team vowed the team would bounce back to beat England in the upcoming Test series.
Cricket SA acting director of cricket Graeme Smith is backing new coach Mark Boucher’s “first-hand experience” will rejuvenate the Proteas.
Boucher, the 147-cap Test veteran, was appointed Proteas coach on Saturday afternoon.
Boucher takes over from the previous interim coach Enoch Nkwe, who has been relegated to assistant coach. Boucher and Nkwe have been appointed until after the 2023 World Cup.
Smith says: “I have brought Boucher on board because I feel he will bring the toughness to turn a young and inexperienced Proteas squad into a battle-ready outfit.
“With his experience of a long career as an international cricketer he has first-hand experience of what it takes to succeed in the Test arena.”
NEW ERA: Assistant Coach Enoch Nkwe. Picture: BackpagePix.
Smith stressed that Nkwe remains a valuable component of the Proteas coaching staff, and will be granted opportunities within the new environment.
The former Proteas skipper adds: “I have the highest regard for Enoch as well and I want to create a clear path for him to grow into a top international coach.
“At the same time there is a clear need to maintain continuity and stability in the Proteas management team and we will be retaining the technical support staff along with Volvo Masubelele continuing as team manager and Justin Ontong as fielding coach.”
BACKING: Director of Cricket Graeme Smith. Picture: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix.
Boucher compared his team to a wounded animal ready to fight as the boys look to regain pride and confidence.
He says: “It is not my first roadshow against England.
“They have been saying a few things in the media and rightly so. But I have one thing to say to them ‘Beware of the wounded buffalo, especially in Africa!”
“As Graeme said, we need to get our confidence back. But if we give them [the players] the space to perform, I do think we can get the best out of our players.”
“I have been involved with teams where we had some really tough times. I look back at one of the toughest times, which was the Hansie Cronje saga and we bounced back to beat Australia straight away.”
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