Acting director of cricket Corrie van Zyl has confirmed has sprung to the defence of interim team director Enoch Nkwe in the wake of the Proteas’ 3-0 Test series drubbing against India earlier this month.

Nkwe filled the interim team director role after former head coach Ottis Gibson’s tenure ended after the World Cup earlier this year.

‘We always knew it was going to be tough, but we all went there with expectations to do well and be competitive. It’s tough and it hurts for the players and for Enoch,’ Van Zyl told Sport24.

‘It doesn’t matter how strong you are as a person, it’s not nice losing. It’s part of the experience and the development of a coach to work through those things.

‘Having sat and discussed it with Enoch, he is a person that looks forward based on the learning that has gone past. He’s not negative and he will be better for this experience.’

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Van Zyl, too, reiterated Cricket South Africa are eager to appoint a permanent team director and full-time director of cricket prior to December’s series against England.

‘I think it is the intention of CSA to fill that role as soon as possible, because from there flows the appointment of the team director,’ he added.

‘It is in CSA’s interest to get this DoC done and dusted as soon as possible. We’re hoping to get this uncertainty out the way by the time the England tour happens.’

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