Cricket SA taken aback by Boucher’s sudden resignation

On Monday, Cricket South Africa (CSA) dramatically announced that South Africa men’s head coach Mark Boucher is to leave his role after the conclusion of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia.  

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A statement revealed that Boucher has decided to resign in order to pursue other opportunities in line with his future career and personal objectives.

“While Cricket SA greatly regrets that Mr Boucher is unable to see out the term of his contract, it respects his decision and wishes him all the best in his future endeavours,” the statement from CSA read.

Boucher has held the position since December 2019, and led the Proteas to 11 Test wins, including a memorable 2-1 series win against India at home in January this year. The Proteas are also currently number two on the ICC World Test Championship table.

His departure will come a year sooner than his contract was set to expire.

Cricket South Africa CEO Pholetsi Moseki Moseki has now acknowledged they will need to move quickly to accelerate an unexpected search for Boucher’s replacement.

“To be honest, we were expecting him to be around until the ODI World Cup in India next year. When he engaged with us, it was quite a shock in that sense,” Moseki told Sport24.

“You can’t begrudge him for wanting to pursue other opportunities like he said he wanted. At least we agreed that he finishes after the T20 World Cup in Australia.

“It’s never ideal,” added Moseki. “We still though we had over 12 months. When he informed us, then we had to start looking at people but it’s not something we were looking at before.

“We need to have someone in, even if they are not permanent, for the Australia tour at the end of the year especially. And that’s the plan (director of cricket) Enoch (Nkwe) needs to present to me because everything has now been brought forward.”

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Boucher’s last series at the helm will be a white-ball tour of India from 28 September – 11 October before heading to the T20 World Cup in Australia, where South Africa are grouped alongside Bangladesh, India and Pakistan. The tournament will run from 16 October – 13 November.  

Director of Cricket Enoch Nkwe said the organisation was “deeply saddened by Mark’s decision to leave us but we also understand and respect his wishes”.

“He is a Proteas legend and has done so much for the game in our country, both on the field and over the last three years off it, which we highly appreciate.  

“He has built a sound platform for South Africa to flourish in all three formats and I’m sure we will see the results of that at the T20 World Cup next month. He has a settled squad already, one that is growing in confidence, and we look forward to watching them in their important series in India before they head to Australia.” 

Boucher only recently overcame a real threat to his job

Back in May, Boucher had suggested he wanted to continue in his role as Proteas coach after charges related to ‘gross misconduct’ were dropped.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) ultimately had concluded that there was no basis to sustain any of the disciplinary charges, including those of racism, against Boucher.

In a well-publicised incident involving former Proteas teammate Paul Adams, in addition to certain allegations related to Nkwe during his time as an assistant coach, Boucher weathered a significant storm at the helm of the South African team.

Eventually, the Board of CSA confirmed that it had formally and unreservedly withdrawn all of the charges.

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Despite a tumultuous period over the past few months, Boucher had suggested he would look to continue as Proteas coach, but he is now soon set to part ways with the team.