Malibongwe Maketa appointed interim South Africa head coach for Australia Tests

His appointment follows Mark Boucher's decision to step down following the conclusion of South Africa's 2022 T20 World Cup campaign

South Africa have appointed Malibongwe Maketa as interim head coach for the upcoming Test series against Australia.

Maketa will replace Mark Boucher, who, in September, announced his intention to step down after leading the side at the 2022 T20 World Cup.

Boucher, whose contract was due to run until the 2023 World Cup, "wants to pursue other interests and opportunities".

Maketa is currently involved with the national side as coach of South Africa A as well as working as the national academy lead. He was previously assistant head coach between 2017 and 2019 and worked as a consultant during South Africa's recent Test tour of England.

^{Mark Boucher is stepping down following the 2022 T20 World Cup [Stu Forster/Getty Images]}

The 42-year-old will take charge of the Proteas for three Tests in December and January, with the series, which forms part of the World Test Championship cycle, beginning in Brisbane on December 17.

Director of cricket, Enoch Nkwe, said: "We are pleased to name Malibongwe as our interim coach to lead the Proteas in Australia. He is a familiar face to the environment and has worked in the same space previously when he served as assistant coach.

"Mali 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.

"We would like to wish him well on his appointment. He has our full support, and we have no doubt he will do South Africans proud in this series."

Cricket South Africa CEO, Pholetsi Moseki, added: "Malibongwe has earned respect and acclaim as a coach and a leader. This interim appointment is in recognition of his ability to ingratiate himself into any system and assure continuity.

"As no stranger to the Proteas setup, I am confident that he will acquit himself well and hit the ground running."

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