Jacques Kallis will replace Nicky Boje as vice-captain to Graeme Smith in the Proteas national cricket team and will serve in this capacity for a year, after which he will decide if he wishes to continue in the role.
This was announced at a media briefing by Cricket South Africa and the United Cricket Board (UCB) in Durban on Monday. The decision to replace Boje was a board decision.
Normally he would have been appointed for two years, but he wants to see first if he can adapt to his new role. At the same time, Smith has been appointed national captain for the next two years to take South African cricket through to the World Cup in the West Indies in 2007.
This was confirmed by UCB CEO Gerald Majola, who also announced that batsman AB de Villiers will effectively join the elite panel of 14 contracted players from the beginning of September.
Majola also announced the names of the South African national team management and national selection panel and confirmed the appointment of Vincent van der Bijl as professional cricket general manager.
On the selection panel, Mustapha Khan, a former SA Cricket board national player from KwaZulu-Natal, replaces Enver Mall from the same province, who has become CEO of KwaZulu-Natal Cricket.
Haroon Lorgat, originally added to the panel, will continue in his capacity as chairperson, with Joubert Strydom as the third man.
The panel will be assisted by national coach Mickey Arthur and Smith in his capacity as captain.
All will serve for two years and Majola said the extension of Smith’s contract for another two years shows the faith the governing body has in his abilities to lead the team from the front.
The full management team that will guide South Africa’s fortunes through to 2007 and the World Cup is: Graeme Smith (captain), Jacques Kallis (vice-captain, subject to his own intentions after 12 months in the job), Mickey Arthur (coach), Vincent Barnes (assistant coach), Goolam Rajah (manager), Shane Jabaar (physiotherapist) and Adrian le Roux (fitness trainer).
About Kallis, Majola said: ”The appointment of a world-class all-rounder like Jacques Kallis as vice-captain will add much value to the team effort.”
Kallis said: ”It is a privilege to represent my country and to do it at this higher level is even more so.”
He pledged his support to Smith.
Van der Bijl — a man who says he passionately believes in South Africa and South African cricket as a way of life — will report to Majola and concentrate on professional playing affairs in terms of the strategic plans of the UCB.
Vince will liaise with academy and coaching manager Anton Ferreira, high-performance manager Gary Kirsten and the six cricket franchise management teams to maximise the playing potential of South Africa’s professional cricket set-up. — Sapa