Captain Faf du Plessis has all but insisted Cricket South Africa appoints a permanent director of cricket and team director ‘as soon as possible.’

Former coach Corrie van Zyl is the acting director of cricket, while interim team director Enoch Nkwe was only appointed for the Proteas’ recent tour of India.

Both positions were created after the World Cup earlier this year, when head coach Ottis Gibson, assistant coach Malibongwe Maketa, batting coach Dale Benkenstein and spin bowling coach Claude Henderson were removed.

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‘It is is a massive red flag. We need to make decisions that influence the team positively, but also from a point of view that you have trust in people coming to work for more than just a month,’ said Du Plessis.

‘At the moment, the coach can’t hire someone for a month because, in two months’ time, someone might decide something completely different. The most important thing right now is clarity and someone needs to make decisions.’

Former convenor of selectors Linda Zondi, meanwhile, has reportedly reapplied for the post. Zondi’s tenure, too, was not renewed after the World Cup. The Proteas finished in seventh position in the nine-team tournament, after three wins, five defeats and one washout.

‘What is happening at the moment is that the director of cricket role has been advertised. Next Thursday, the applications close. The idea is to get that done as soon as possible. With that, we also need to get the convener of selection done,’ added Van Zyl.

‘The convener of selection was advertised a while ago. That decision will be made shortly by CSA. The two roles will be announced more or less the same time.’

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