South Africa name Wandile Gwavu as white-ball fielding coach

Three days after securing automatic qualification to the 2023 World Cup, South Africa are filling up their backroom staff ahead of the tournament. Wandile Gwavu has been named white-ball fielding coach and will work under Rob Walter, who was appointed earlier in the year, and alongside batting coach JP Duminy.

A permanent bowling coach is yet to be identified after Rory Kleinveldt did the job in an interim capacity last summer.

Gwavu joins the national men's set-up after four seasons at the Johannesburg-based Lions team, where he won five titles. He has also worked with the Jozi Stars in the now defunct Mzansi Super League and with the Joburg Super Kings in the SA20. In addition, he been involved with South Africa's Under-19 and A sides.

"He brings a wealth of experience at the highest level in South African cricket with a coaching career that speaks volumes," Enoch Nkwe, South Africa's director of cricket said. "With the fine margins and the ever-increasing stakes in 50-over and T20 cricket, fielding has become a critical part of any successful team and we strongly believe Wandile's expertise will help the Proteas maintain their strong tradition of fielding excellence across both formats."

Gwavu replaces Justin Ontong, who was part of Mark Boucher's coaching staff and is understood to have applied for the vacant position at Paarl, where Duminy was head coach. Both Paarl and the Lions are now searching for new head coaches ahead of the 2023/24 season. Gwavu's first assignment with the team will be the white-ball series against Australia which starts on August 30 and includes three T20Is and five ODIs.