Cricket South Africa appoints Victor Mpitsang as the new convenor of selectors

South Africa haven’t had a full selection panel post 2019 men’s World Cup. According to the new restructure, convener of selectors will be picking the men’s and women’s side as well as the Under-19 squad.

Mpitsang represented South Africa in two ODIs 1999 as a 19-year-old before injury cut short his international career. He played 103 first-class matches and took 245 wickets. He also featured in 100 List A matches and 23 T20s before announcing his retirement from all forms of cricket in 2012.

He then worked as a scout for the schools’ cricket program before joining the South Africa women side as a bowling consultant. He also served as a selector for South Africa universities program. He was an assistant coach of South Africa men’s Under-19 side and then went on to become the convenor of selectors of the same side while also working as a cricket commentator with CSA’s official broadcast partner.

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“It’s an honour to be called up for this role,” Mpitsang said in a statement. “For the last eight years since my retirement, I have consciously looked to learn as much as I can about this game and I have put in many hours gaining that knowledge and experience.”

“When you retire from playing you always hope you can stay in and around the game somehow and make a positive contribution in some way no matter how small. I have been incredibly fortunate to have received the opportunities that I have in the past and to have learned how things work from admin to playing and coaching.

Mpitsang said he is looking forward to the new role and the challenges it will bring. He also added that he will be focussing on the areas of cricketing eco-system in South Africa that need immediate attention.

“I’m really looking forward to this next chapter and all that it brings. The Proteas teams are a vital part of the cricket eco-system and there are areas that need our immediate attention, which I’m itching to get started on,” he added.

Graeme Smith, CSA director of cricket, talked about the important of the role of convener of selectors and said he is hopeful that Mpitsang’s experience in various capacities within the South African system will help him fulfil the job that is at hand.

“The role for the National Convenor of Selectors is an incredibly important one, which is why the process of appointing the eventual candidate has taken so long. We needed to be certain that we have left the role in the safest hands possible and Victor’s credentials speak for themselves,” Smith said.

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“He has made it his business to know the ins and outs of cricket after his playing days, from Mini-Cricket, all the way to the senior Proteas men’s and women’s teams. His experience as a coach in our various development programmes means that he has the kind of knowledge and context that was crucial in our chosen candidate.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what he brings to the role and the stamp that he will put on our national teams and I know he is excited to get down to business as soon as he possibly can.”

South Africa women last played competitive cricket when they reached the semi-final of the 2020 T20 World Cup in Australia in March where they lost a thrilling match to the hosts. They were scheduled to play a series in England in late August, but eventually declined the invitation siting the travel restrictions that were in place in the country. Eight of the South Africa players will be participating in the upcoming Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) in Australia and two other players are part of the squads in the Women’s T20 Challenge in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).