Our cricket can strive for ‘great heights’ under Nkwe

CRICKET South Africa CEO Pholetsi Moseki is hoping new director of cricket Enoch Nkwe will help the organisation “turn the corner” and “reach greater heights”.

Nkwe was unveiled yesterday among a string of new appointments at CSA, along with Mtunzi Jonas joining as CCO, Tjaart van der Walt as CFO and Wanele Mngomezulu as CMO.

Nkwe, 39, replaces former Proteas captain Graeme Smith, who opted not to renew his contract at the end of March.

He previously coached the Lions, where he was recently still employed as a “strategic consultant” to two titles – the T20 Challenge and fourday series in 2019. He also led the Jozi Stars to the inaugural Mzansi Super League title.

This success saw Nkwe promoted to interim director of the Proteas in 2019 for the tour to India before becoming part of current Proteas coach Mark Boucher’s support staff as assistant coach.

This arrangement, however, did not last long with Nkwe resigning due to indifferences about “team culture” in the national team.

Nkwe was chosen ahead of former Proteas all-rounder and current Warriors coach Robin Peterson, who IOL Sport understands was initially a strong candidate to succeed Smith.

“CSA is intentional in turning the corner and reaching greater heights,” said Moseki.

“The appointment of these executives is intended to strengthen CSA’s resolve and anchoring the administration with the best expertise on offer.

“I am delighted that CSA has attracted this calibre of talent, which will change the fortunes of the organisation into the future.

It is against this background that I congratulate the appointees for making it through the stringent recruitment process, which merited their appointments.

“They have indeed demonstrated their desire to serve this beautiful game in the different portfolio’s by bringing their capabilities to bear.”

Nkwe also has further international experience with the Netherlands team as assistant coach, and was also assistant coach of Vancouver Knights in the Global T20 Canada where the team finished runners-up.

Smith was largely praised for his work during a difficult period for CSA as he helped restore the organisation’s battered reputation with his international adversaries, particularly the BCCI where his relationship with former India captain and current BCCI president Sourav Ganguly was critical.

The fact that the lucrative India tour to South Africa went ahead amidst the Covid-19 Omicron wave that engulfed SA towards the end of last year was a major factor during Smith’s tenure.

However, the racial allegations that were levelled at Smith, which he was later cleared of, as a result of the Social Justice and Nation-Building hearings had a massive negative impact.

Equally, Smith’s relationship with Boucher and the way he was appointed as national team coach was constantly debated. He was later cleared of these allegations too.

Nkwe’s primary objective will be to rebuild a working relationship with Boucher after their differences over the past year.

The Proteas men’s team’s first assignment during Nkwe’s tenure will be the much-anticipated tour to England next month, comprising ODI, T20 and Test series.