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Australian should coach Proteas: Gibbs

South Africa expected to have a new head coach after the current Test tour of England concludes

Former Proteas batsman Herschelle Gibbs says Cricket South Africa (CSA) should hire an Australian coach who won't tolerate a 'buddy-buddy' attitude when considering Russell Domingo's successor.

Domingo's tenure in the head coach role expires at the end of the ongoing tour of England in August, and while he's re-applied for the gig, reports suggest CSA is likely to move in a different direction with a new mentor behind the wheel.

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If it was up to Gibbs, the 90-Test veteran would choose an Australian to provide some tough love to the Proteas squad.

"I like their (Australians') approach to the game and the fact that they don't put up with nonsense," Gibbs was quoted as saying by Netwerk24.

"I'd like to see a new approach. Something new and fresh won't do any harm.

"I think that can only be achieved through outside input."

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As it stands, there is no shortage of possible Australian candidates.

Tom Moody was one of five men interviewed for the India head coach role before Ravi Shastri was named Anil Kumble's replacement.

Jason Gillespie, who said he strongly considered applying for the India role, is the current Adelaide Strikers coach with an impressive coaching resume to boot. Gillespie today started his tenure as the Papua New Guinea coach, a position he is filling in an interim basis as the burgeoning cricket nation push for 2019 World Cup qualification.


And Justin Langer, the Western Australia and Perth Scorchers supremo, coached Gibbs at the Scorchers and is known for his passion and discipline.

Langer has filled in as Australia head coach previously, and is highly thought of as a possible successor to Darren Lehmann if the current coach opts to move on when his contract expires after the 2019 World Cup. 

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Gibbs believes some players in the current Proteas set-up are too 'buddy-buddy' with the coach, and he wants to see that removed.

"That is a bunch of nonsense," he said. "The coach needs to be in control and for that reason I believe an Australia coach – who won't tolerate this 'buddy-buddy attitude' – could work." 

While Gibbs wants an Aussie, Highveld Lion coach Geoffrey Toyana is reportedly the frontrunner to be Domingo's successor.

The new coach is expected to be announced at the end of South Africa's ongoing Test tour of the UK and begin in the role at the start of September.

South Africa are currently deadlocked with England at 1-all after thrashing the hosts by 340 runs at Trent Bridge to level the four-Test series. The third Test at The Oval starts next Thursday.

Domingo is in South Africa after the sudden and unexpected passing of his mother, who was involved in a car accident last month.

Assistant coach Adrian Birrell is acting as interim coach in Domingo's absence.