Proteas captain Faf du Plessis has publicly expressed sincere gratitude to outgoing head coach Ottis Gibson.

Gibson’s tenure will end in September and won’t be renewed.

‘Going to miss you, coach. Have spent a lot of time together over the last 18 months and you became a friend,’ Du Plessis wrote on Twitter.

‘You are a great man. Thank you for everything that you have done. We appreciate you.’

Assistant coach Malibongwe Maketa, fielding coach Justin Ontong, spin bowling coach Claude Henderson, batting coach Dale Benkenstein and convenor of selectors Linda Zondi have also not been retained.

An interim management team, selection panel and captain will be appointed for the Proteas’ upcoming tour of India. Meanwhile, CSA will advertise the positions of director of cricket, team manager and convenor of selectors. Former coach Corrie van Zyl will be the interim director of cricket until a full-time appointment has been made.

Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen, meanwhile, has implored CSA to name Titans coach Mark Boucher’s successor.

‘Cricket South Africa sack Gibson and his whole backroom staff. There is only one man who can turn their cricket around – Boucher,’ Pietersen wrote on Twitter.

‘He has trophies, he’s respected around the world and he’s an absolute beaut of a human,’ added Pietersen. ‘Do the right thing, Corrie.’

The Proteas will tour India for three T20Is and as many Tests from 15 September to 23 October 2019.

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