Extended contract for Corrie van Zyl

The UCB has extended the contract of national assistant coach Corrie van Zyl to September to enable him to be a member of the South African squad touring the UK during the English summer.

Van Zyl's contract was due to expire at the end of April 2003.

"Corrie has been a very valuable member of the national squad's management team," said UCB CEO Gerald Majola today. "He is a great support to Eric Simons and has done brilliant work with the bowlers. For instance, Makhaya Ntini in particular has blossomed by working with Corrie. Corrie also knows the English conditions, which require changes in line and length from bowlers, and we believe he will play an important role on the tour to England," he added.

After September 2003, Van Zyl will return to coach Free State, the province for whom he played 104 first class matches and 118 domestic limited overs matches as a fast bowler. "It makes me very happy that Corrie will remain in the South African cricket system to give back some of his knowledge," Majola said.

Van Zyl said that he was honoured that Eric Simons and the UCB had asked him to stay on through the tour to the UK. "And it's an honour which I accept and I look forward to the tour. I have been with the national team for five years now and have gained immense experience as a coach from that set-up. But after September, it will be time for me to be with my family and it's also important to me to take some of what I have learnt at the national level and use it in provincial cricket. Now that I know what is required in international cricket, it helps me better prepare the provincial players - both for domestic and international cricket," Van Zyl said.