Eric Simons is new SA coach

Western Province coach Eric Simons is South Africa's new coach. He replaces Graham Ford, who was sacked following the defeat against Australia.

South Africa lost five of the six Test matches against the Aussies, and also the home one-day internationals 6-1.

Simons is now expected to guide the Proteas at next year's World Cup, which they host.

A United Cricket Board statement said: "Simons will take up the post on July 1, 2002 and will immediately begin working with the national team management structure and the National Cricket Committee on a strategy for the 2002/3 season and the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup."

The former one-day international player, who won 23 caps as an all-rounder, will work alongside Shaun Pollock, who has been retained captain of the Proteas, with Mark Boucher staying on as his vice-captain.

"He has superb people management skills as well as international experience and the necessary technical abilities that we believe will give the national team the best possible preparation for the challenges that lie ahead," said United Cricket Board chief executive Gerald Majola.

South Africa are due to take part in a triangular one-day competition in Morocco in August before moving on to Sri Lanka for the ICC Champions Trophy.

The team will then return home for home series against Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, packing in six Tests and 13 one-day matches, before the start of the World Cup next February.