It is not yet known which format will be coached by Conrad and which by Walter, but whoever gets the white-ball role will start immediately. South Africa play England in three World Cup Super League matches from January 27.
The Test coach will have a reduced workload at international level for now as South Africa still retain hopes of reaching the World Test Championship final, despite defeats in their two most-recent series in Australia and England, but currently only have two matches scheduled – at home to West Indies in March – in the next 11 months. In the long gaps between Tests, the Test coach will play an overseeing role in the first-class system.
The same applies to Walter, though he has been involved in international cricket, having been South Africa’s strength and conditioning coach between 2009 and 2013. His first role after turning to coaching was as head coach of the Titans franchise, where he won three trophies in three seasons before moving to New Zealand. Walter coached Otago Volts for five years and turned them from wooden spooners in 2016-17 to a competitive side in the seasons that followed. In April 2021, he moved to the Central Stags. Walter also has IPL experience with Pune Warriors and Delhi Daredevils.
The pair succeed Boucher, who was appointed in December 2019 on a four-year deal. Boucher was due to stay on to take South Africa to the 50-over World Cup later this year, but announced his resignation in August 2022, on South Africa’s tour of England. His last series was the T20 World Cup in Australia, where South Africa missed out on the semi-finals after losing to Netherlands. Boucher has since been announced as the head coach of IPL franchise Mumbai Indians.