Most major sporting codes in the country, including the Eastern Cape, are struggling to find the rights leaders to take their teams forward.
The captaincy problems in the South African cricket camp are particularly interesting and one can only hope that new leaders Dean Elgar (tests) and Temba Bavuma (ODIs and T20) turn out to be the right appointments.
Faf du Plessis could not carry on as captain forever, but what a mess the process to replace him turned out to be. It was clear that the decision makers at Cricket South Africa (CSA) did not know which route to take.
It was so bad that quite a few of the players were talking up their chances of being named the next captain. It was as if the bosses told the players that if there is someone out there that desperately wants the captaincy, he must show it. That is not completely what you want.
Yes, a player must obviously show his intent to lead the side, but not by telling the media he can do the job. He must show it by displaying his leadership qualities on and off the field.
For me, there is only one natural leader in the current national men’s squad – Aiden Markram. The problem is that his form was taking a huge dip at the time when discussions around the captaincy came up. A player must first make sure his place in the side is secure, before he can be considered for the captaincy. It looks as though Markram is finding his best form again and he could well be the next captain.
Unfortunately, those natural leaders, those who stand out without trying to shout their mouths off, are few and far between.
Quinton de Kock had a short stint at the captaincy and wasn’t up to the task. To captain South Africa in all three formats of the game, keep wicket and try to win matches with his attacking batting style, was a bridge too far.
One struggled to find real confidence in the new appointments from listening to CSA director of cricket, Graeme Smith. He told us that Elgar is experienced and after consulting with many others, he is satisfied Bavuma can also do the job.
There was no acknowledgment that CSA had made a huge error in appointing De Kock. Instead, there were comments about why De Kock didn’t make the grade.
De Kock did not make himself the captain; he was appointed and it would have been refreshing to hear from CSA that they messed up.
In the meantime, we have to wait for our next (natural) leader, unless Elgar and Bavuma prove me wrong.
No doubt that CSA will tell us all it was a stroke of genius from their side when it happens.
