Victor Mpitsang, the former South Africa medium pacer, has taken over as the new convenor of selectors for the senior men's team, replacing Linda Zondi, and will start his work on a full-time basis from November 2.

Graeme Smith, Cricket South Africa's director of cricket, said in a statement that Mpitsang had the right credentials for job.

"The role for the National Convenor of Selectors is an incredibly important one, which is why the process of appointing the eventual candidate has taken so long. We needed to be certain that we have left the role in the safest hands possible and Victor's credentials speak for themselves," Smith said in a statement. "He has made it his business to know the ins and outs of cricket after his playing days, from KFC Mini-Cricket, all the way to the senior Proteas men's and women's teams. His experience as a coach in our various development programmes means that he has the kind of knowledge and context that was crucial in our chosen candidate.

"I'm looking forward to seeing what he brings to the role and the stamp that he will put on our national teams and I know he is excited to get down to business as soon as he possibly can."

Mpitsang, 40, played two ODIs in 1999, and retired from the game in his early 30s after a first-class career spanning 103 matches, in which he picked up 245 wickets at an average of 29.80. He also played 100 List A games and 23 T20s, in which he picked up 88 and 15 wickets respectively.

"It's an honour to be called up for this role," he said. "For the last eight years since my retirement, I have consciously looked to learn as much as I can about this game and I have put in many hours gaining that knowledge and experience.

"When you retire from playing you always hope you can stay in and around the game somehow and make a positive contribution in some way no matter how small. I have been incredibly fortunate to have received the opportunities that I have in the past and to have learned how things work from admin to playing and coaching.

"I'm really looking forward to this next chapter and all that it brings. The Proteas teams are a vital part of the cricket eco-system and there are areas that need our immediate attention, which I'm itching to get started on."

More to follow…