Cape Town - Cricket South Africa (CSA) announced on Saturday the appointment of Johan Botha as captain of the Proteas’ Standard Bank Pro20 squad. He succeeds Graeme Smith who stood down earlier in the week.

“Johan was the unanimous choice of the Board,” commented CSA CEO Gerald Majola, “and we have every confidence that he will do an excellent job leading up to the next edition of the ICC World Twenty20 in2012.”

Botha’s appointment is for the Pro20 squad only. The captain to succeed Smith in the ODI format will be announced later. Smith will retain this captaincy until the end of the ICC World Cup next year.

“Johan has an excellent record as a leader,” commented selection convener Andrew Hudson. “He was an inspirational captain when he stood in for Smith in the ODI series victory in Australia in 2009.

“His appointment is part of the process of refreshing our Pro20 squad and also deciding whether to follow the route of having different captains for different formats of the game.”

Botha said he was excited at the challenge posed by the captaincy and was also humbled by the honour bestowed on him.

“I really enjoyed the captaincy when I stood in for Graeme before,” commented Botha, “and I am proud to be offered the job now. I am looking forward to working with such a special team.

“I will have three Pro20 games before the World Cup and hopefully we can play some good cricket during that period. As far as the 50 overs captaincy is concerned, I will have to see how my own form goes and how the team performs.

“If everything goes according to plan I would like to think I have a chance of captaining in the 50 overs format as well when Graeme stands down at the end of the World Cup.”