Van Zyl is currently head coach of the Gestetner Diamond Eagles central franchise and has helped them to win six domestics titles (two each in the SuperSport Series, MTN Domestic Competition and Standard Bank Pro20) since the franchise system was introduced five years ago.
Prior to that he was cricket manager of the Free State Cricket Union and he also had a five-year spell as assistant coach of the Proteas from 1998 to 2003 during which time he was involved in two World Cups as well as 50 Test matches and more than 120 ODIs. He also coached the South African Emerging Squad to victory in their series in Australia in 2006.
As a player he helped Free State win all the domestic trophies on offer, taking 349 first-class wickets as a fast-medium seam bowler and 127 wickets in list A one-day matches.
He represented the Proteas on the 1992-93 tour of the West Indies playing in two ODIs.
His duties at the High Performance Centre will include coaching the South Africa A and Emerging Squad teams, controlling the rehabilitation of national players coming back from injury, identifying and working with emerging talent coming through the franchise system and acting as the link between the national coach and the franchise coaches.
Van Zyl said he was delighted to take on the job. “I genuinely feel it is a great honour to get this job. I have always felt there was a need for this line of communication between the national team and the franchises and I am confident of making a big contribution in this regard.
“I have enjoyed my previous spells with Cricket South Africa and I am looking forward to being back on board.
“At the same time I would like to extend my thanks to the central franchise for the support and opportunity they gave me as coach there. We have managed to bring through an excellent crop of youngsters and the franchise can face the future with a great deal of confidence.”
“Cricket South Africa is delighted that Corrie van Zyl is the new High Performance Coach,” commented CSA CEO Gerald Majola. “Corrie van Zyl comes with the most impressive CV both as a player and a Coach.
“Apart from Corrie's proven technical record as a coach, he has wonderful attributes as a motivator and somebody who brings out the best in players.
“A major element of CSA vision is to pursue excellence and Corrie van Zyl is going to play a meaningful role in the realization of this vision,” he added.
“It is wonderful that we have been able to appoint a coach of such experience and one with such a successful record to this very important post in South African cricket,” commented national coach Mickey Arthur. “I am looking forward to working with him to take South African cricket up to another level of excellence.”
