Former Free State and VKB Knights all-rounder Dillon du Preez has been confirmed as an assistant coach for the Proteas Women’s team on a three-year contract.

The 38-year-old will work closely with head coach Hilton Moreeng, who was reappointed in July, and will offer a great deal of experience – with a franchise career of nearly 600 wickets across all formats and over 4,500 runs.

Du Preez has been coaching at Free State and VKB Knights since his retirement in 2017 and his elevation to the Cricket South Africa (CSA) structures further bolsters the management team. He also has experience in the women’s game having served as assistant coach for team Coronation in the inaugural Women’s T20 Super League.

‘He is a young coach with vast experience of playing the game and his all-round skill will no doubt benefit the girls. I am confident that alongside our staff and another recent appointment Dinesha Devnarain [the first full-time Women’s U19 coach] our coaching set-up can help take the women’s game to a new level,’ Moreeng said at the announcement.

For Du Preez, on the other hand, it is a great opportunity he wants to make the most of.

‘I have been relishing such an opportunity and can’t wait to get going,’ he added.

‘A lot has been going on behind the scenes for a little while and obviously with the break [Covid-19] I’ve had to wait a little while before formally joining the team, but now it’s finally come and I’m really excited and can’t wait to get going with Hilton and the rest of the girls.’