WELLINGTON: Former South Africa coach Rob Walter has been named as New Zealand’s new coach, across all three formats of the game. The 49-year-old South African takes up the Black Caps job from the middle of June, and will lead the side on their upcoming tour of Zimbabwe. Walter was an early favourite for the job, after he quit his South African post leading their One Day and T20 sides in April. It was revealed Walter never stopped living in New Zealand during his time with South Africa, commuting from his home in Hawke’s Bay, where he lives with wife Heather and their two sons. “The Black Caps have been a successful and highly-regarded team on the world scene for some time now and it’s a real privilege to be given the chance to add to that,” Walter said. “It’s an amazing opportunity to work with such a talented group of players and support staff through a period of time in which so many global events, as well as massive bilateral series, will be contested.” Walter’s contract means he will lead the Black Caps to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, as well as three major ICC tournaments, including the 2027 World Cup. NZ Cricket chief executive Scott Weenink said Walter was a world-class coach with outstanding pedigree. “His success in New Zealand’s domestic game, combined with his recent achievements on the global stage with South Africa, makes him the ideal candidate to lead the Black Caps.” Walter previously coached the Otago Volts in New Zealand’s domestic competitions from 2016 until 2021, before moving to Hawke’s Bay and briefly coaching the Central Stags. In January 2023, he took up the job as South Africa’s head coach in white ball formats, leading South Africa to the final of the 2024 T20 World Cup, semi-finals of the 2023 World Cup, and the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. He replaces Gary Stead, New Zealand’s most successful coach, who leaves his role at the end of the month. Stead hoped to stay on as the Black Caps’ Test coach, but New Zealand Cricket opted for one coach across all three formats. He won the World Test Championship in 2021, and made three white ball finals during his seven year tenure. Published in Dawn, June 7th, 2025