Proteas head coach Mark Boucher says Temba Bavuma should be given time to settle as the newly appointed captain of the limited-overs teams.

Bavuma will become the first black African player to lead the Proteas on to the field for Friday’s opening ODI against Pakistan in Centurion.

The 30-year-old replaced Quinton de Kock as the new permanent captain in February, while Dean Elgar was named as the new Test captain.

READ: Bavuma looking ahead to 2023 World Cup

Boucher admits he is excited about Bavuma’s new leadership role and believes he will do an excellent job at working with fellow players in the Proteas camp.

‘It was a big choice to make. I am very happy with how things have gone. We have also got to give Temba some time as well to find his feet,’ Boucher said on Thursday.

‘I think that is only fair. The preparation has been fantastic. The way he has spoken to the guys. Temba is a nice guy, so it is not going to be difficult for him to form relationships with players.

‘It is very exciting times for him, for us going into this short period. We have had some good team chats. Last night [Wednesday] we revisited our values and our value system and it is all very exciting times going ahead now. Just looking forward to getting on the field and playing.’

Boucher’s comments echoed that of batsman Aiden Markram, who also shared some of his thoughts on how Bavuma has handled the team in their buildup to the Pakistan series.

READ: Markram: Fresh start for Proteas ODI team

Markram told reporters on Wednesday that Bavuma is looking to bring his own style of playing and captaincy to the team.

‘Under Temba’s guidance we have been brilliant so far this week. It is encouraging the brand of cricket he would like the Proteas to play. It is exciting that we have got a couple of years to build on something and hopefully when 2023 comes, the team knows exactly what each person’s role is under the brand of cricket everyone wants,’ Markram said.

Friday’s clash will get under way at 10am.