Lance Klusener confirms withdrawal from Proteas coaching race

By Chad Klate
10th January 2023

Former Proteas all-rounder Lance Klusener has confirmed the withdrawal of his application for the national team job to replace ex-teammate Mark Boucher.

Klusener was among the candidates interviewed for the job of leading South Africa's One-Day International and Twenty20 sides after Cricket South Africa announced its intention to split the white and red-ball roles.

However, the Durban Super Giants boss, whose side will get their SA20 campaign underway against the Joburg Super Kings at Kingsmead tomorrow (Wednesday), has insisted the process has not been a distraction as he decided to pull out of the reckoning for the hot seat.

"No, not really. I'm committed to the Super Giants now and I've actually withdrawn my application on the national team coaching position," Klusener confirmed to the media on Tuesday.

"So, my focus is solely so that I can focus here on the Super Giants and then obviously in the [various global] T20 leagues going forward."

The withdrawal of 'Zulu', as he is affectionately known in cricket circles, now reportedly leaves Cricket SA with the options of current Proteas interim coach Malibongwe Maketa, Adrian Birrel, Shukri Conrad, Rob Walter and Richard Pybus.

The 51-year-old also spoke on Dwaine Pretorius' decision to call time on his international career this week, and described the move as a big loss for the national team.

"He'll probably play a bit better now that he's not getting a cheque at the end of the month, he might have to focus a little bit harder," joked Klusener.

"But I think it is a big loss [for the Proteas], he's probably South Africa's premier all-rounder at the moment, but you know he's not getting any younger and there are lots of opportunities out there for him.

"So, I just want to wish him all the best, and it is a loss for South Africa but I think we have a lot of young, upcoming and developing all-rounders, and that's exciting – Andile Phehlukwayo, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen is there as well.

"So, there are lots of resources, and it's really just to wish Dwayne all the best out there. I've been doing it for a long time, it's an exciting place to practice your trade, and all the best to him."