Geoffrey Toyana has left his role as head coach of the Highveld Lions by mutual consent and will become their high-performance coach on 1 May. 

Toyana will be in charge of the Lions’ feeder system of players, which involves scouting talent, retention and management of the senior pipeline levels for North West Cricket, the Gauteng Cricket Board as well as the Lions Cubs and Lions Academy teams.

‘While results have not been favourable in the past season, we remain confident as a board that this franchise is capable of becoming the stronghold in domestic cricket given the players we have produced and considering the feeder system in Gauteng Cricket Board and North West Cricket,’ said Dr Monyane Nkagisang, chairman of Lions Cricket.

‘It is in this light that we have reached an agreement to use Geoffrey’s expertise in another area under the Lions Cricket umbrella. The franchise would like to thank Geoffrey for the commitment that he has shown and look forward to seeing the value he will add in this new role.’

Toyana said: ‘My time at Lions has been one of great experience and securing silverware in all formats and reaching the final of the Champions League T20 will remain highlights.

‘I have had the privilege of working with incredible players and it has been an honour to see so many receive their call-up to the national team. I am excited about this new endeavours and look forward to continuing my cricket journey.’