logo
South Africa appoint Conrad as white-ball coach

South Africa appoint Conrad as white-ball coach

CNA09-05-2025
CAPE TOWN :South Africa have named Shukri Conrad as their limited overs coach after he led the country to the World Test Championship final where they face Australia at Lord's from June 11-15.
The 58-year-old Conrad, who took over the Test team in January 2023, replaces Rob Walter, after he resigned last month for personal reasons, and will be in charge across all 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," Conrad said in a statement from Cricket South Africa.
"South African cricket has incredible white-ball talent. There's a strong foundation to build on, and I believe we have what it takes to achieve something special."
South Africa will co-host the next 50-over Cricket World Cup in 2027 along with Zimbabwe and Namibia.
A veteran of the domestic coaching circuit, Conrad has enjoyed great success, leading to the WTC final appearance.
South Africa also made the final of last year's T20 World Cup, but let a commanding position slip as they lost to India, and reached the semi-finals of the 2023 50-over World Cup and the recent ICC Champions Trophy.
Their next limited overs assignment is a tri-series in Zimbabwe that also involves New Zealand in July. Later in the year they tour Australia, England and India.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Australia coach Schmidt hopes for better start against fired-up Springboks
Australia coach Schmidt hopes for better start against fired-up Springboks

CNA

time10 hours ago

  • CNA

Australia coach Schmidt hopes for better start against fired-up Springboks

CAPE TOWN :Australia coach Joe Schmidt is banking on his side making a faster start to the second Rugby Championship test against South Africa in Cape Town on Saturday, and not having to dig quite as deep as last weekend's heroic win at Ellis Park. The Springboks dominated the opening quarter in Johannesburg to take a 22-0 lead inside 18 minutes, before Australia roared back in the second half for a stunning 38-22 victory at a ground where they had not won in 62 years. Schmidt is convinced his team are up for the challenge again, but knows the Springboks are unlikely to let them off the hook to that degree a second time. "We can't wait around," Schmidt told reporters in Cape Town on Thursday. "We can't wait for the Springboks to bring their game. We've got to kick off with our game a lot better than we did last week. We've talked more about that this week." A fractured jaw for Dylan Pietsch means Schmidt has handed a debut to former Rugby Sevens wing Corey Toole, one of the fastest players in Super Rugby. "He's a great young kid," Schmidt said. "He's obviously come in from the Sevens programme, which is something a number of the South Africans have done. He's adapting well and this will be a big, steep learning curve for him." Captain Harry Wilson is out having failed to recover from an injury picked up last weekend, but that blow has been softened by the return of Rob Valetini at number eight. "Losing Harry is not ideal at all," Schmidt admitted. "Rob's played 40 minutes for us so far this season, that is all. But it's good to have him back and I'm sure he'll acquit himself really well." South Africa made 10 changes to their side as a fuming coach Rassie Erasmus brought back the experience of Handre Pollard (flyhalf), Damian de Allende (inside centre) and Willie le Roux (fullback). "It's been a while since a game just ran away from us," Erasmus said. "It's not a lekker (good) feeling when that happens. You know when your Mom sends you a message to say, 'My kid, I still love you', things aren't lekker." While the Springboks will undoubtedly tighten up their game-plan on Saturday, Erasmus rejected the idea they would abandon their new expansive running style altogether. "I feel Australia are playing pretty much like we did in 2019, defend, defend, and if you make an error, they will pounce on that," Erasmus said of his side that lifted the Rugby World Cup trophy six years ago. "We don't believe that's the way to win the next World Cup. We will never throw everything out, we've worked too hard over the last two or three years to get things in place."

Wilson out of second test, but Valetini returns to face Springboks
Wilson out of second test, but Valetini returns to face Springboks

CNA

time14 hours ago

  • CNA

Wilson out of second test, but Valetini returns to face Springboks

CAPE TOWN :Australia will be without influential captain Harry Wilson for the second Rugby Championship test against South Africa on Saturday, but welcome back Rob Valetini to the number eight position for the clash in Cape Town. The Wallabies came from 22 points down to claim a stunning 38-22 success in the first test between the teams in Johannesburg this past weekend, winning at Ellis Park for the first time in 62 years following a second half performance for the ages. Wilson pulled up lame after scoring the second of his two tries, but while his absence is a blow, it is offset by the return of the hugely impressive Valetini. Wing Corey Toole will make his Australia debut as the former Rugby Sevens player replaces Dylan Pietsch, who fractured his jaw in the first half in Johannesburg. Prop Tom Robertson also comes into the side to replace the experienced James Slipper, who suffered a concussion last weekend. With Wilson not available, flanker Fraser McReight will become the 91st player to captain Australia. "The squad as a whole has recovered pretty well from what was a very draining and physical test match on the Highveld last week," coach Joe Schmidt said. "We struggled to contain a powerhouse Springbok start last weekend and we know that we have to improve leading into what's likely to be a bruising encounter in Cape Town on Saturday night." Robertson is joined in the front row by hooker Billy Pollard and prop Taniela Tupou, while Nick Frost and giant Will Skelton retain their lock partnership. Tom Hooper is in the number six jersey in a back row with McReight and Valetini, and Nic White, who came out of a brief international retirement to tour is at scrumhalf alongside 35-year-old flyhalf James O'Connor following the latter's first test in three years last weekend. Len Ikitau and Joseph Suallii are the centre-pairing, and Toole forms a back three with fellow wing Max Jorgensen and fullback Tom Wright. Schmidt has again selected a 5-3 split between forwards and backs on the bench. Australia team: 15–Tom Wright, 14–Max Jorgensen, 13–Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12–Len Ikitau, 11–Corey Toole, 10–James O'Connor, 9–Nic White, 8–Rob Valetini, 7–Fraser McReight, 6–Tom Hooper, 5–Will Skelton, 4–Nick Frost, 3–Taniela Tupou, 2–Billy Pollard, 1–Tom Robertson

Springboks locked in to improved set-piece against Australia
Springboks locked in to improved set-piece against Australia

Straits Times

timea day ago

  • Straits Times

Springboks locked in to improved set-piece against Australia

CAPE TOWN - South Africa's video analysis of their stunning 38-22 Rugby Championship defeat to Australia would have been a hard watch, not least the set-piece where they lost five lineouts, normally such a reliable area of their game from which to launch attacks. Australia managed to disrupt the Springboks' set-piece as they won at Ellis Park on Saturday for the first time in 62 years having rallied from 22-0 down in a second-half display for the ages. Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has rotated both locks from that game for the second test against Australia in Cape Town on Saturday, with Lood de Jager and Eben Etzebeth dropping to the bench. In come RG Snyman and Ruan Nortje, with Franco Mostert selected at flanker, but also a formidable lineout jumper. "All credit to Australia for how they handled the lineouts last week," Nortje told reporters on Wednesday. "It's not just the players who were on the field, all the locks sat together and made plans from the Sunday before the match. "So we need to ensure that we are more effective in that department this weekend. "We know we are much better than what we showed in Johannesburg, so it will be vital for us to stick to our plans this week and to go out there and be as physical as possible." Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 18 persons nabbed and 82 vapes seized in HSA ops in Raffles Place and Haji Lane Singapore 3 Sengkang Green Primary pupils suspended for bullying classmate, with 1 of them caned: MOE Singapore Woman trapped between train doors: Judge rules SBS Transit '100% responsible' Singapore Religion growing in importance for Singaporeans: IPS study Life Record number of arts patrons in 2024, but overall donation dips to $45.74m Life 'Loss that's irreplaceable': Local film-makers mourn closure of Singapore indie cinema The Projector Singapore Nearly 2 years' jail, caning for man caught with at least 100 sexually explicit videos of children Singapore Grab users in Singapore shocked by fares of over $1,000 due to display glitch Nortje, 27, is very much the junior in the Springbok lock collection, but has been impressive in his seven caps to date. "It's special for me to be part of this group of locks," he said. "Many of them have been my heroes since I started playing junior rugby, so I try to learn with each opportunity I get to play and train with them." Defending champions South Africa need a victory on Saturday to rekindle their title hopes with a tough two-match tour in New Zealand coming up next month. REUTERS

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store