Cricket South Africa (CSA) has appointed Shukri Conrad as the Proteas Men’s all-format head coach, expanding his role beyond Tests to now include white-ball cricket.
Conrad, who has led the red-ball side since January 2023, will begin his white-ball tenure with the T20 International tri-series against Zimbabwe and New Zealand in July. The 58-year-old will now oversee the national team across all three formats through to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027, set to be hosted in South Africa.
Strategic shift in CSA’s coaching structure
The decision is part of CSA’s broader revamp of its national team framework, which also sees the return of a National Convenor of Selection. The goal is to streamline talent identification and team strategy across formats.
Enoch Nkwe, CSA’s Director of National Teams and High Performance, said:
“Shukri’s track record with the red-ball team speaks for itself. He has laid a solid foundation and instilled a strong identity within the Test environment. I’m excited to see him bring that profile and structure to the white-ball space.”
Nkwe also highlighted Conrad’s established rapport with the players and his understanding of international cricket demands as key advantages going into a crucial competitive cycle.
Conrad eyes World Cup preparation and consistency across formats
Reacting to the appointment, Conrad expressed both gratitude and ambition:
“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.”
He added that South Africa’s depth in white-ball cricket, from seasoned internationals to emerging stars, offers a strong base for sustained success:
“We have a busy schedule ahead—starting with the WTC Final next month, the T20 World Cup next year, and our own 50-over World Cup after that. Planning and player management will be key if we are to be competitive and reach our goal of being the best in the world across formats.”
Upcoming assignment: WTC Final vs Australia
Conrad’s first task as all-format head coach will be the ICC World Test Championship Final against Australia, scheduled for 11–15 June at Lord’s in London. It will be a critical test of South Africa’s red-ball progress and the first challenge of his expanded leadership role.
