Rob Walter
{{Short description|South African cricket coach (born 1975)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Use South African English|date=September 2023}}
Rob Alun Walter (born 16 September 1975, in Johannesburg, South Africa) is a South African cricket coach, currently in charge of the New Zealand national team.{{Cite web |last=Pretorius |first=Wade |date=2023-03-16 |title=New Proteas limited overs coach Rob Walter dreaming big |url=https://www.thesouthafrican.com/sport/cricket/new-proteas-limited-overs-coach-rob-walter-dreaming-big-16-march-2023/ |access-date=2023-09-24 |website=The South African |language=en-ZA |archive-date=2023-03-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328141415/https://www.thesouthafrican.com/sport/cricket/new-proteas-limited-overs-coach-rob-walter-dreaming-big-16-march-2023/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Mjikeliso |first=Sibusiso |date=2023-01-16 |title='Scientific, intellectual, no ego': How new Proteas ODI, T20 coach Rob Walter stood out |url=https://www.news24.com/sport/cricket/proteas/scientific-intellectual-no-ego-how-new-proteas-odi-t20-coach-rob-walter-stood-out-20230116 |access-date=2023-09-24 |website=News24 Sport |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-01-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121161910/https://www.news24.com/sport/cricket/proteas/scientific-intellectual-no-ego-how-new-proteas-odi-t20-coach-rob-walter-stood-out-20230116 |url-status=live }}
He was the head coach of South Africa in the One Day International and Twenty20 International formats from January 2023 until 30 April 2025.{{Cite web |last=Tshwaku |first=Khanyiso |date=2023-01-21 |title='It felt like the butterflies I had when I met my wife', says Walter on Proteas appointment |url=https://www.news24.com/sport/cricket/proteas/it-felt-like-the-butterflies-i-had-when-i-met-my-wife-says-walter-on-proteas-appointment-20230121 |access-date=2023-09-24 |website=News24 Sport |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-01-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128135618/https://www.news24.com/sport/cricket/proteas/it-felt-like-the-butterflies-i-had-when-i-met-my-wife-says-walter-on-proteas-appointment-20230121 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Zaahier |date=2023-07-05 |title=Playing for your country remains a privilege - Proteas coach Rob Walter |url=https://www.iol.co.za/sport/cricket/proteas/playing-for-your-country-remains-a-privilege-proteas-coach-rob-walter-42bee691-f787-46fe-be6c-72d65491d2a1 |access-date=2023-09-25 |website=IOL |archive-date=2023-07-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713024219/https://www.iol.co.za/sport/cricket/proteas/playing-for-your-country-remains-a-privilege-proteas-coach-rob-walter-42bee691-f787-46fe-be6c-72d65491d2a1 |url-status=live }}
In June 2025, he became head coach of the New Zealand team across all formats, succeeding Gary Stead.{{Cite web |date=2025-06-06 |title=Walter lands BLACKCAPS Head Coach role |url=https://www.nzc.nz/news-items/walter-lands-blackcaps-head-coach-role/ |access-date=2025-06-06 |website=New Zealand Cricket |language=en-NZ}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/cpw7e5vx01go|title=NZ appoint Walter as head coach for all formats|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=6 June 2025}}
Early life
Walter was born in Johannesburg on 16 September 1975.{{Cite web |title=Rob Walter Profile - Cricket Player South Africa {{!}} Stats, Records, Video |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/rob-walter-1357164 |access-date=2023-09-24 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en |archive-date=2023-09-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230917232551/https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/rob-walter-1357164 |url-status=live }}
Career
Walter served as the Proteas' strength, conditioning, and fielding coach from 2009 to 2013.{{Cite web |last=Meikle |first=Hayden |date=2023-01-18 |title=Proteas job ‘dream come true’ for Walter |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/cricket/proteas-job-%E2%80%98dream-come-true%E2%80%99-walter |access-date=2023-09-24 |website=Otago Daily Times |language=en |archive-date=2023-01-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122070419/https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/cricket/proteas-job-%E2%80%98dream-come-true%E2%80%99-walter |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Manthorp |first=Neil |date=2023-03-15 |title=Walter makes SA coach dream come true |url=https://supersport.com/cricket/south-africa-v-west-indies-202223/news/a18a3bd5-72e1-4a15-bae8-ad991df55c9f/walter-makes-sa-coach-dream-come-true |access-date=2023-09-24 |website=Super Sport |archive-date=2023-03-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319025814/https://supersport.com/cricket/south-africa-v-west-indies-202223/news/a18a3bd5-72e1-4a15-bae8-ad991df55c9f/walter-makes-sa-coach-dream-come-true |url-status=live }}
In 2013, Walter was appointed as the head coach of Titans.{{cite web |last=Moonda |first=Firdose |date=2013-05-21 |title=Rob Walter named Titans coach |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/rob-walter-named-titans-coach-636983 |access-date=2023-09-25 |website=ESPNcricinfo |archive-date=2023-09-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230925000212/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/rob-walter-named-titans-coach-636983 |url-status=live }} Later, he also worked as an assistant coach with the Pune Warriors and Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League.
In 2016, Walter moved to New Zealand to coach the Otago Volts for five years, leading them to two finals.{{cite web |date=2021-04-19 |title=Cricket coach Rob Walter quits Otago Volts for Central Stags job |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/124886807/cricket-coach-rob-walter-quits-otago-volts-for-central-stags-job |access-date=2023-09-25 |website=Stuff |archive-date=2021-04-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419064424/https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/124886807/cricket-coach-rob-walter-quits-otago-volts-for-central-stags-job |url-status=live }}
In April 2021, Walter joined the Central Stags. He departed in January 2023 to assume the position of head coach with the South Africa national cricket team.{{cite web |date=2023-01-17 |title=Central Districts cricket coach Rob Walter confirmed for South Africa Proteas job |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/130987952/central-districts-cricket-coach-rob-walter-confirmed-for-south-africa-proteas-job |access-date=2023-09-25 |website=Stuff |archive-date=2023-01-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121114931/https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/130987952/central-districts-cricket-coach-rob-walter-confirmed-for-south-africa-proteas-job |url-status=live }} Prior to this, he had gained experience in international cricket with New Zealand A in 2022.{{cite web |last=Borland |first=Ken |date=2023-02-09 |title=New Proteas coach Rob Walter excited about the future |url=https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/proteas-coach-rob-walter-excited-future/ |access-date=2023-09-25 |website=The Citizen |archive-date=2023-09-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230925000222/https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/proteas-coach-rob-walter-excited-future/ |url-status=live }}
In April 2025, Walter resigned from his position effective 30 April 2025.{{Cite web |date=2025-04-01 |title=Rob Walter: South Africa coach resigns citing personal reasons |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/articles/cdde4q9nyyro |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}
In June 2025, New Zealand Cricket announced Walter's appointment as head coach of New Zealand, with a contract running to November 2028.
References
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{{South Africa 2023 Cricket World Cup squad}}
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Category:South African cricket coaches