Walter: Markram's Proteas captaincy not decided by SA20

This is according to South Africa's white-ball coach Rob Walter, who made the decision to replace Temba Bavuma with the 28-year-old former SA under-19 skipper.

With Bavuma now captaining the red-ball and One-Day International (ODI) sides and having lost his place in the 20-over format, the likes of David Miller, Wayne Parnell, and Quinton de Kock all have leadership experience with their respective local franchises and/or SA20 sides.

However, Markram was the obvious choice for Walter, with his leadership of the Sunrisers to their first SA20 title only reinforcing his decision to hand over the reins.

"So, I've had my eye on Aiden for a very long time from a leadership point of view, and just watched him go about his work" explained Walter.

"I think the fortunate thing from the SA20 point of view is that we have four skippers that are all in involved in the team, so we've got some nice leadership capability in the side.

"Part of Aiden's appointment is also looking forward, understanding where he is in his cricket cycle, and how many years, hopefully, he'll be dedicating to the Proteas.

"So, there are a number of factors, of which SA20 would have contributed [and] really just affirming what I had originally thought."

Markram, the only South African captain to lead a side to World Cup success - albeit at Under-19 level - in 2014, got his first taste of international captaincy in the Proteas' four-wicket victory over West Indies in the final One-Day International earlier this week, which Bavuma sat out as a precautionary measure.

"I thought he did a very good job, not surprising. As I said, I'm fully aware of his leadership capabilities, so I thought he marshalled the troops quite nicely," added Walter.

"He made some nice tactical decision around bowling changes, which was good to see, and we're certainly just looking for more of the same. 

"I think the SA20 gave us a little window into his style and ability from a leadership point of view, so I don't think we'll see anything different [now], it's just sort of a different set of troops out on the field with him."