Shukri Conrad has officially been appointed as the head coach of the Proteas men’s teams across all formats, Cricket South Africa (CSA) announced on Friday, May 9, 2025. This decision follows the resignation of Rob Walter, who stepped down last month for personal reasons, leaving a significant vacancy in the coaching staff.
Conrad, who has been at the helm of the Test side since January 2023, will now take charge of the white-ball formats starting with the T20 International tri-series against Zimbabwe and New Zealand in July. This tri-series marks Conrad's first assignment in limited-overs cricket, and he is eager to build on the legacy left by Walter.
“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 expressed. He emphasized the wealth of talent in South African cricket, stating, “There’s a strong foundation to build on, and I believe we have what it takes to achieve something special.”
As part of CSA’s broader restructuring of the national team strategy, Conrad’s appointment is seen as a crucial move. Enoch Nkwe, CSA director of national teams and high performance, praised Conrad’s track record with the Test team, saying, “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.”
Conrad’s leadership is expected to guide the Proteas through to the 2027 Cricket World Cup, which will be hosted on home soil. This opportunity is not just a stepping stone for Conrad but a chance to solidify the direction of South African cricket across all formats.
With Walter having led the Proteas to their first-ever ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final in 2024 and a semi-final appearance in the ICC Men’s World Cup in 2023, the expectations are high for Conrad to continue this upward trajectory. “I don’t think I want to do things differently,” he noted. “Rob obviously laid a really good foundation, did some wonderful things; we only need to look at some performances at some ICC events.”
Conrad is keen to maintain the philosophy instilled by Walter while also integrating his own vision. “I’ll try and build on what Rob has done, and yes, those processes have started already,” he said. He has already begun discussions with players, including those participating in the IPL, about their potential involvement in the upcoming year.
As he prepares for his new role, Conrad is excited about the prospects ahead. He believes that managing both the Test and white-ball teams will provide a holistic view of player development and performance. “Yeah, it does make life easier,” he acknowledged. “You obviously like to use the word 'total control' but you've got a really good idea of where every single player is at, both physically, in terms of the mental space.”
Conrad's next major challenge will be the ICC World Test Championship Final against Australia, which starts on June 11, 2025, at Lord’s in London. This match will serve as a significant test for Conrad as he aims to solidify his leadership and strategy as the head coach.
In conclusion, Shukri Conrad’s appointment as head coach of the Proteas across all formats heralds a new era for South African cricket. With a focus on building upon the successes of his predecessor and a commitment to fostering talent, Conrad is poised to lead the team into a promising future.
