South Africa’s white ball cricket coach, Rob Walter, has officially stepped down from his role, citing personal reasons.
He will depart on April 30, marking the end of a tenure that saw the Proteas achieve historic milestones on the global stage.
Rob Walter during his time coaching the team
“Coaching the Proteas has been an incredible honour, and I am immensely proud of what we have achieved together,” said Walter.
“The players, support staff, and the South African cricketing community have been fantastic throughout this journey. While it’s time for me to step away, I do not doubt that the team will continue to grow and reach even greater heights,” he added.
The Coach’s Impact Over the Past Two Years
Walter’s impact was evident in South Africa’s performances at major tournaments. Under his leadership, the Proteas reached their first-ever ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final in 2024. However, they fell just short against India in Barbados. The campaign was marked by a record-breaking run of eight consecutive victories, showcasing the team’s newfound resilience and consistency.
His influence extended to the 50-over format as well. South Africa reached the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in India, reaffirming their status as a formidable force in international cricket.
Over his two-year tenure, Walter oversaw 36 One-Day Internationals and 31 T20 Internationals. He secured notable series victories against the Netherlands, Australia, Ireland, and Pakistan. His final assignment came in March 2025 at the ICC Champions Trophy. There, he once again led the Proteas to the semi-finals, this time against New Zealand in Lahore.
How His Role Has Impacted Cricket
Director of National Teams and High-Performance Enoch Nkwe said: “Rob has done an immense job for South African cricket over the past two years.”
“It is also important to recognise Rob’s commitment to expanding the talent pool across both formats. While in charge, he ensured that emerging players had the opportunity to develop and make their mark at the highest level, which will be critical for the future of the Proteas.”
“We have a busy period of white-ball cricket over the next two years as we build towards the Cricket World Cup on home soil. His successor will continue to work towards that 50-over World Cup campaign, along with next year’s T20 World Cup.”
Rob Walter: Rebuilding the Proteas Brand
CSA Chief Executive Officer Pholetsi Moseki added: “Rob played a significant role in the rebuilding of the Proteas brand on the international stage. During his two years in charge, we have witnessed a significant increase in faith in South African cricket, largely due to the team’s performance. His professionalism and work ethic have been exemplary, and he will undoubtedly be missed. On behalf of Cricket South Africa, we wish him all the success in the future.”
With Walter stepping away, South Africa now looks to the future. Cricket South Africa is set to announce his successor in due course.
