Sports minister Nathi Mthethwa has given Cricket South Africa’s interim board two more months to try to fix the deeply dysfunctional governing body.

The board was appointed in October 2020 for a defined period of three months. However, it was extended once more in February, and now again.

Mthethwa said this was necessary for them to be able to achieve their mandate.

‘Bearing in mind that in announcing the interim board late last year, the Minister anticipated that even with the best laid plans, no one had a crystal ball on how things would practically pan out,’ a statement issued by Mthethwa’s office read.

‘As the Minister takes deadlines that he sets seriously, he considered and was persuaded by the rationale for the requested two-month extension, which was influenced by such external issues as the disciplinary hearings as well as consultations with internal and external stakeholders.

‘The Minister is persuaded to grant the extension on the grounds stated, he has consulted with the members’ council [the highest decision-making body at CSA made up of the 14 provincial presidents] and it was unanimously concluded that this is the best decision for cricket.’

The board has stuttered in its work, which has been compromised by legal challenges and resistance from within Cricket South Africa.