Former South African Test captain Dean Elgar has launched a scathing attack on Cricket South Africa (CSA), accusing them of fostering a toxic environment rife with politics and poor administration. Elgar, who recently retired from international cricket, feels he was unfairly removed from the captaincy last year.
Elgar, 36, is currently playing for English county side Essex. In a candid interview, he revealed the heavy burden placed on him, coach Mark Boucher, and the team management following the resignation of former director of cricket Graeme Smith in March 2022. He described a challenging environment where balancing the needs of the team with the expectations of CSA’s management proved difficult.
“I tried to make the best of a bad situation, focusing on what I could control,” Elgar admitted. “However, this struggle negatively impacted my own form.” He conceded that with hindsight, he should have prioritized his personal performance.
Elgar was understandably shocked when summoned to a meeting with the new director of cricket, Enoch Nkwe, and coach, Shukri Conrad, in February 2023. He was abruptly informed that Temba Bavuma would be replacing him as captain.
“It felt like they completely disregarded all the hard work I put in over the past year and a half,” Elgar lamented. “They didn’t seem to acknowledge the significant team improvement during my tenure. We went from being ranked sixth or seventh in the world to a team with the potential to reach the World Test Championship final.”
Elgar led South Africa in 18 of his 86 Tests. Under his leadership, the Proteas enjoyed a rise in the Test rankings, securing series victories against West Indies, India, and Bangladesh. This upward trajectory was unfortunately halted by series defeats in England and Australia during his final stint as captain.
Conrad, appointed head coach in January 2023, prioritized appointing Bavuma as captain, citing a better alignment with his vision. Elgar claims this was the only explanation offered for the leadership change.
Despite the acrimonious ending with CSA, Elgar maintains good relationships with his former teammates, including Bavuma. He even played under Bavuma’s captaincy in recent series against West Indies and India. Notably, Elgar captained the team in his final Test against India due to Bavuma’s injury.
However, the meeting with Nkwe and Conrad forced Elgar to confront the reality of his future with the national team. “Shukri Conrad is ultimately the reason my Test career was cut short,” he stated.
Dean Elgar now relishes the positive environment at Essex, where he has a secured three-year contract. “I don’t believe I fit into the current South African setup, and probably not in the foreseeable future either,” he concluded.
Cricket South Africa has been contacted for comment on Dean Elgar’s allegations, but their response is yet to be received.
