South Africa coach Mickey Arthur has resigned from his post just days before the Proteas leave for a tour of India.
The 41-year-old has been in charge of the South Africa national team since May 2005 and his shock resignation on Tuesday has forced the Proteas to install Corrie van Zyl as interim coach for the two-Test and three One-Day International tour.
Van Zyl, who was assistant national coach from 1998-2003, is currently at the helm of South Africa's High Performance Centre but will take charge of the senior side in the lead up to the first Test in Nagpur starting on February 6.
"The timing is very unfortunate with an exciting two-Test tour of India coming up but the international cricket calendar these days means that there is never a good time," Arthur said on Tuesday.
"But all good things must come to an end and now is the time for someone else to take over," he added.
During his tenure, Arthur led South Africa to a series victory in England and a Test series triumph in Australia for the first time.
"I am very proud of what the Proteas have achieved while I was coach, especially being ranked number one in both forms of the game in the last 12 months and winning series in England and Australia," he said.
Arthur is scheduled to hold a news conference on Wednesday to discuss his resignation with Cricket South Africa declining to comment on his departure before he addresses the media.
