Rob Walter, the former South Africa white-ball coach, has been appointed as the head coach for the New Zealand men’s cricket team across all formats for the next three years. Walter, who is 49, will step into the role in mid-June, succeeding Gary Stead. His appointment comes as New Zealand Cricket originally intended to have separate coaches for white and red-ball cricket, but ultimately chose Walter for the unified role.
Walter’s credentials include leading South Africa to the semi-finals of the 2023 ODI World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy, as well as to the final of the 2024 T20 World Cup. A familiar face in New Zealand cricket circles, Walter has previously held coaching positions with the Otago Volts and Central Stags, where he guided the Stags to victory in the Ford Trophy and Plunket Shield during the 2022-23 season. His coaching experience is further enriched by a tour with New Zealand A to India in 2022 and a role as an assistant coach in the IPL.
Walter, whose family is based in New Zealand, expressed his enthusiasm about the new challenge ahead. “The Blackcaps 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,” he stated. “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.”
New Zealand Cricket’s chief executive, Scott Weenink, shared his confidence in Walter’s capabilities. “Rob is a world-class coach with an outstanding pedigree,” he commented. “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 Blackcaps.”
Walter’s tenure will see him guide the team through pivotal moments on the international cricket calendar, including the next World Test Championship cycle, the 2027 ODI World Cup, two T20 World Cups in 2026 and 2028, as well as the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. He takes over just in time for New Zealand’s tour of Zimbabwe in July, marking the beginning of what promises to be a significant chapter in New Zealand cricket.
