Central Districts Cricket is delighted today to congratulate former CENTRAL STAGS Head Coach ROB WALTER as the new Head Coach of the BLACKCAPS.

Walter succeeds GARY STEAD in the national role and begins his new NZC post this month - contracted for an excited period of international cricket through to the conclusion of the ICC T20 World Cup in New Zealand and Australia in November 2028.

Walter was the Stags' Head Coach from 2021 until the end of the 2022/2023 season, taking the team to The Ford Trophy Final in his initial season, and bowing out with fairytale twin national titles in both The Ford Trophy and first-class Plunket Shield in his final season.

He left to spend the next two years as South Africa men's white-ball Head Coach, travelling the international cricket world with the team while he and his family remained anchored in Hawke's Bay.

The opportunity to now coach our own national teams in all formats is a dream come true. “I just can’t wait to get started," said Walter.

"It’s exciting, it’s challenging, and the opportunity [for the team in the next few years] is enormous for everyone.”

PHOTOSPORT

Walter began his international coaching career with South Africa in 2009, as the team's strength and conditioning guru, also serving as a fielding coach.

Inspired to pursue high performance coaching, he took up his first Head Coach role with South African franchise the Titans in 2013, and worked as an assistant coach in the IPL before the family moved to New Zealand.

Walter first became a familiar face on the New Zealand Domestic landscape as Head Coach of the Otago Volts, leading the southerners for five years and taking them to two consecutive Ford Trophy national finals, before heading north in 2021 to join Central Districts Cricket as the Stags' new Head Coach.

During his time with us, Walter also won his first NZC appointment as New Zealand A Head Coach, for a series v India A in India. When he went on to coach South Africa's white-ball international side, Walter helped the Proteas reach the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup semi-finals; the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy semi-finals; and the Final of the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup.

His new role will see him oversee the BLACKCAPS through an international schedule that includes the ICC World Test Championship, the ground-breaking 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, and three major ICC events: the 2026 and 2028 T20 World Cups and the 2027 Cricket World Cup (ODIs).

Walter picks up from Stead's seven strong years of service as BLACKCAPS Head Coach, and said he was honoured and excited to be given the responsibility of carrying on the excellent work.

NZC BOARD MEMBER & CD ALUMNUS ROGER TWOSE

WELCOMES WALTER TO THE NZC TEAM

PHOTOSPORT

“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,” said Walter.

“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.

NZC chief executive Scott Weenink said it was the right time and place for Walter.

“Rob is a world-class coach, with an outstanding pedigree,” said Weenink.

“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.

“We’re excited to welcome Rob back home to guide our team through an exciting and challenging period, including three major ICC events.”

All the team at Central Districts Cricket Association is thrilled to congratulate Rob on his appointment.

Article added: Friday 6 June 2025