Shukri Conrad talks continuity as he takes over Proteas white ball teams

This follows the resignation of Rob Walter at the beginning of April and Conrad’s first assignment in the limited overs arena will be the T20 International tri-series against Zimbabwe and New Zealand in July.

The 58-year-old says the combined roles will make it a lot easier to manage the teams.

"Yeah, it does make life easier, you obviously, you like to use the word "total control" but you've got a really good idea of where every single player is at, both physically, in terms of the mental space and it might be tougher dealing with myself than it was with Rob sometimes,” Conrad said.

“I must add that Rob and I had a wonderful working relationship and yeah, it was pretty smooth sailing, but really excited about what lies ahead. Like you say, it will be much easier managing both workloads and where players are at and whatever interventions need to happen."

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Conrad was quick to dismiss any talk of making wholesale changes to the philosophy instilled into the team by Walter, and says he will look to build on what his predecessor started.

Under Walter’s leadership, the Proteas reached their first ever ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final in 2024.

He also saw the 50-over team to the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s World Cup in 2023. Conrad will start building up to the T20 World Cup early next year as well as the 50-over World Cup here on home soil in 2027.

"I don't think I want to do things differently, I think Rob obviously laid a really good foundation, did some wonderful things; we only need to look at some performances at some ICC events,” he added.

“So, I'll try and build on what Rob has done, and yes, those processes have started already, you know. As recently as this morning, just chatted to some of our players at the IPL and abroad in terms of what potentially their year can look like in terms of active involvement.

“So, the planning processes have started. It's not one that ever stops and it will be modified as we go along, but yeah, excited and looking to build on what Rob has done. Take whatever good things we've done in test space and hopefully transfer that into the whiteball space as well."