SOUTH Africa will announce a six-man short-list for the vacant head-coach position after the conclusion of the World Cup over the weekend.
The country’s cricket chief Gerald Majola revealed that some of the candidates for the role, which is available after interim boss Corrie van Zyl’s contract expired, are still involved in the competition being played on the sub-continent. India coach Gary Kirsten and his assistant Eric Simons are reportedly the front-runners, while former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming is also seen as a candidate.
“A short-list with six names has been drawn up and it will be made public shortly after the World Cup as a few of the candidates are still involved at the tournament,” the Cricket South Africa chief executive officer told www.sport24.com.
“Our panel will start the interviews as soon as the short-list is announced and we hope to make the appointment by June.”
Majola’s comments seem to back up suggestions that Kirsten and Simons are in contention, although it is still unclear who the others may be.
van Zyl will soon leave the national team after 14 months in charge and return to his former role as head of the country’s high performance centre in Pretoria.
He was surprisingly appointed to succeed Mickey Arthur at the start of last year after the latter’s sudden resignation.
Majola also revealed that a process to appoint a new one-day captain was under way. Graeme Smith, who will retain the Test captaincy, had already announced his decision to step down after the World Cup.
The main candidates for the job are thought to be vice-captain and Twenty20 leader Johan Botha, AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla. (PA Sport)