Mark Boucher designated as South Africa head coach

Mark Boucher’s appointment as South Africa men’s team coach was confirmed on Saturday.

The former wicketkeeper-batter has been contracted until after the 2023 World Cup.

Mark Boucher has been appointed ahead of the four-Test home series against England that starts on December 26, Cricket South Africa confirmed.

Boucher, who has been given a contract until 2023, was unveiled by new CSA director of cricket Graeme Smith, with Enoch Nkwe to act as assistant coach and former Test opener Ashwell Prince to lead the South African a side.

“I felt at this stage that the Proteas need a hardened guy with international experience, one who is very knowledgeable and tactically very sound, and we also know what qualities he has as a man,” Smith said.

“We feel Enoch has a lot of qualities that will be very useful to Mark and it is a good opportunity for him to advance his own role in South African cricket going forward.”

Enoch Nkwe, who took the team to India in October as interim team director, was named assistant coach, with former selection convener Linda Zondi returning as an independent member of a panel that will also feature Captain Faf du Plessis, Boucher and Nkwe.

On December 16, they will announce South Africa’s squad for the first two Tests of their four-match series against England that will start in Centurion on December 26.

Boucher will scramble to put together a plan to counter England in his next assignment starting on Boxing Day.

“Our confidence is a bit down, we need to get that back,” Boucher said.

“There is a wealth of knowledge in this country. We need to get consultants in and get information through to the players to give them the space to do their best.”

Boucher took over the domestic Titans franchise in 2016 and within a year was named Coach of the Year at the annual CSA awards. He has led the side to the country’s first-class four-day trophy, two 50-over competition wins and the T20 title.

He made 147 Test appearances for South Africa and took 999 dismissals in all forms of cricket, a world record.