ESPNcricinfo has learnt that Boucher’s support staff which includes bowling coach Charl Langeveldt, batting coach Justin Sammons and fielding coach Justin Ontong will be retained for the Australia series. Maketa has worked with all of them in the past. It is also understood that Maketa intends to apply for the permanent position once CSA advertises the job in the coming weeks.
CSA is planning to split the job into two, with one coach in charge of the Test team, who will also be actively involved in first-class cricket, and another to head up the white-ball squads. The new posts could be filled before South Africa’s World Cup Super League series against England in January 2023.
Graeme Smith then took over as DOC and appointed Boucher head coach, while retaining Nkwe as his assistant. Nkwe remained in the role until August 2021, when he resigned, citing concerns with the team culture. When Smith opted not to seek an extension in his role, Nkwe was then appointed DOC. He has been in the role since July and, in his first major decision, has appointed Maketa. It is understood that no performance criteria have been placed on Maketa for the Australia trip.
“He is a familiar face to the environment and has worked in the same space previously when he served as assistant coach,” Nkwe said. “[He] knows most of the players well; they know him too; and with such a short time between now and the tour, we as Cricket South Africa felt we needed someone who could step in immediately and lead us through what is an important series for the Proteas.”