South Africa name Dean Elgar, Temba Bavuma as new captains
Bavuma will replace Quinton de Kock, captaining South Africa in the next two ICC Men's T20 World Cup in 2021 and 2022 as well as in the ICC Men’s World Cup in 2023. Elgar has been given the reins of the longest format and will lead them in the next cycle of the ICC World Test Championship.
"We are grateful to Quinton for the work he has put in as captain of the team in the limited-overs formats and are indebted to him for stepping up while the National Selection Panel continued its search for the Test captain," said Graeme Smith, CSA's Director of Cricket. "We expect him to still play an integral role in the team’s leadership group.
South Africa have named Dean Elgar as their new Test captain while Temba Bavuma will lead the side in ODIs and T20Is 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/GnwVJ3GQD5
— ICC (@ICC) March 4, 2021
"We as CSA are pleased with the appointments of Temba and Dean and believe that we have the men who will lead the Proteas back to their winning ways of old. The pair bring the required stability in both leadership and form to turn the ship in the direction that will eventually bring trophies back to the cabinets," he added.
Bavuma, who will be leading South Africa for the first time, said he is looking forward to the new challenge.
Bavuma is honoured and delighted to lead the Proteas for the first time: "Captaining the Proteas has been a dream of mine for many years as those closest to me would know. This is one of the greatest honours of my life so far and I am looking forward to picking up where Quinny (de Kock) has left off in leading the team into the new culture that we have developed and continue to work on.
🚨 BREAKING NEWS
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) March 4, 2021
🇿🇦 Top order batsmen Dean Elgar (Test) and Temba Bavuma (Limited Overs) will lead the #Proteas on the field#SeeUsOnThePitch pic.twitter.com/gHMlINTZEw
"The responsibility of captaining one’s country is not one I take lightly, and I am looking forward to this new challenge and journey with Dean in the Test cricket format, as well as leading the team to not just one, but three ICC World Cups in the very near future."
Elgar said that leading his side in Tests is going to be "the biggest highlight of my career."
"I’ve always said that to captain your country in any form of the game is the biggest honour that a player can be fortunate to receive. To captain my country’s Test team, which I believe to be the pinnacle of the game, is the biggest highlight of my career and I’m grateful for the opportunity to represent my country in such an important way."