Boucher signs two-year extension as Titans coach
Mark Boucher had taken over as Titans coach in August last year, with his initial tenure extending until the 2017-18 season
ESPNcricinfo staff
20-May-2017
Mark Boucher joined Titans in 2016 as a replacement for Rob Walter • Getty Images
Former South Africa wicketkeeper Mark Boucher will remain Titans coach until the end of the 2019-20 domestic season, after signing a two-year extension with the franchise. Boucher, who was recently named CSA Coach of the Year, mentored Titans to both domestic limited-overs titles - CSA T20 Challenge and Momentum One Day Cup - while the team finished a close second in the Sunfoil Series first-class competition.
Boucher, who has a Level 2 coaching qualification, had a stint as consultant with the national side ahead of their Test series last year against New Zealand, before joining Titans as a replacement for Rob Walter. His initial contract had extended until the end of the 2017-18 season.
Assessing his performance over the past 12 months, Boucher was quoted as saying by cricket.co.za: "It's great to have done well in my first year. The culture in the team is one I've always looked up to as a player, and when I stepped into the role as coach, it was one of those 'wow' factors."
Titans' assistant coach Mandla Mashimbyi, who has been in the role since 2013, has also extended his tenure until the end of the 2018-19 season. Mashimbyi is also the assistant coach of the South Africa A side and will tour with the squad for the series against England which begins on June 1.
Heading into his second season with the franchise, Boucher acknowledged Mashimbyi's role in helping him ease into the Titans' scheme of things.
"It's a very successful set-up. I've related to the players really well and, thankfully, they accepted me in a very good way. Working alongside Mandla, with all his experience and knowledge of the franchise, has helped me fit into the structures and processes that were already in place."
Meanwhile, Mark Charlton has stepped down as Northerns Seniors coach, and been roped in as the High Performance Manager for Titans Cricket. In the newly-created position, Charlton has been tasked with the responsibility of coordinating the franchise's pipeline structures in terms of player development.