Former South African first-class batsman Heinrich Malan has been named New Zealand A head coach.

Malan made 10 first-class and nine List A appearances for Northerns between 2005 and 2009 – and has since forged a career as head coach of the Central Stags.

He will remain contracted with the Stags until the end of the season.

‘With each passing season, Heinrich is garnering more and more recognition for his coaching acumen. We’re delighted to see his successes with the Central Stags recognized by his latest appointment,’ said Central Districts Cricket Association CEO Pete de Wet.

De Wet, too, has South African roots. He resigned as CEO of the Dolphins franchise two years ago.

‘I always had planned to look abroad after finishing my tenure at the Dolphins and had put my CV on a few international recruitment and employment agencies,’ he said at the time.

‘I received regular updates on what was available and when the job in Napier came up, I thought it would be worth a go.

‘It’s not often such opportunities arise and I submitted my details with the usual thought of not getting the job anyway, only to progress through the various procedures and ending up with one other applicant as the last two standing.’

New Zealand have several South African-born cricketers among the Test, ODI and T20I squads, including seamer Neil Wagner, batsman Colin Munro and wicketkeeper-batsmen BJ Watling and Glenn Phillips.

Retired wicketkeeper-batsman Kruger van Wyk and all-rounder Grant Elliott, too, were born in South Africa and played for the Black Caps.

Image: Central Stags