Cricket: Malan returns to coach Stags

Central Districts

The next Head Coach of the Central Stags will need no introduction as Central Districts Cricket welcomes back Heinrich Malan to the top job. 

Malan mentored the Stags from 2013 to 2019, winning five national trophies.

He now returns to Hawke’s Bay as a successful international coach whose recent achievements include Ireland men’s first win against T20 world champions India, in a series whitewash.

It was the latest in a string of notable international firsts for the team under Malan who signed off with Cricket Ireland shortly after that June triumph.

He has now been signed on a three-year contract with CDCA, taking over the reins of the Stags from Greg Hay (interim Plunket Shield and Ford Trophy Head Coach for last season) and Ben Smith (Super Smash).

For Malan, it’s more than a full circle moment. Pretoria-raised with New Zealand citizenship, he says he and the family are coming back to a place they call home. 

“Hawke’s Bay is special to us. Our daughter Mila's got really good memories of growing up there, and our two lads were born there.

“We’ve got a real affinity for the region and for CD, and it makes your heart feel nice and warm knowing that there's people there who really care about us

"Jana and I are really excited about reconnecting with everyone and I honestly can't wait for the weeks to fly by so we can get our feet on the ground in Napier again.”

Now 45, Malan was an unusually young Head Coach when he first arrived in 2013 — at 32, he was younger than some of his players. 

He had begun his own cricketing career in 2005 as a batting allrounder for South African provincial side Northerns, and had been coaching in one form or another since 1999, his last year at school when he started a cricket academy for primary school kids.

He quickly found his feet with the Stags, and the team developed strongly under his guidance — backed up by results on the park. 

His second and third seasons brought consecutive Ford Trophy titles. His last two summers saw the Stags win back-to-back Plunket Shield championships and the 2019 T20 Super Smash trophy.

Earning a reputation as a clear thinker with a superb technical eye, he helped mould raw talent into BLACKCAPS, a major influence on the likes of Blair Tickner and Ajaz Patel.

Malan’s looking forward to working with them again — and to meeting the younger echelon that’s emerged in his absence.

“I’ve got a real fondness for the Stags, and I’ve always kept an eye on results,” he said. 

“The squad has consistent senior performers and I’m really excited about reconnecting with them because their games have evolved, while I've also evolved as a coach. 

"I wanted to test myself and I think the pressure of international cricket has developed me on a personal level: now I want to share my experience, see where that takes us, as a group. 

“I’m also looking forward to getting to know the newer faces that we need to develop because there are players there who have shown some real appetite and excitement for us moving forward.

“There is huge satisfaction in putting those lads in a position where they can go out and showcase their skills and contribute, so I can’t wait to get my hands dirty again from a training perspective at domestic level.

“To coach hands-on is something that genuinely still excites me. I have got a huge fire in my belly for it.”

Malan is also looking forward to seeing the team’s high performance centre at Mitre 10 Park, Hastings in person for the first time. 

Since 2023 the 16-lane Rodney Green Foundation Turf Training Facility, adjacent Indoor Centre and athlete facilities have transformed CD’s ability to upskill and prepare elite and District representative players.

“What we lacked 10 years ago, the lads wouldn't even think about now because they've got it all at their fingertips,” Malan says. 

“They rock up in the morning at 8am, they don't leave until 4pm, and they've got everything on site which is a fantastic prospect for us. 

"I’m really looking forward to it.”

Malan spent a total of eight seasons based in New Zealand during his previous stay, having gone on to coach the Auckland Aces for two seasons before winning the Ireland role. 

He was also seconded from CD to coach New Zealand A, and filled in as an interim batting consultant to the BLACKCAPS for a home series against Bangladesh.

Central Districts CEO Lance Hamilton said it was a pleasure to announce the return of a former staff member, after a thorough appointment process.

“We had prior knowledge of what Heinrich brings to the table as a coach, but in addition to that, we were really impressed by his professional development over the time he has spent away,” said Hamilton.

“He has really grown in that capacity after running an international team and managing a sizeable staff. 

"Heinrich also has a passion for CD, and his passion to return home is clear. 

“I know we’ll enjoy having Heinrich, Jana and their three children back here in Hawke’s Bay.”

Malan is currently on a family vacation in South Africa. He will begin his new role remotely tomorrow (Monday 3 August), before arriving in New Zealand on 17 August.

About Heinrich Malan

Born: Pretoria, South Africa

2005-2009 First-class and List A player and player/coach (South Africa)

2009-2011 Northerns Coaching Manager (South Africa)

2011-2013 Easterns first-class Coach (South Africa)

2013-2019 Central Stags Head Coach

2017 New Zealand A Assistant Coach, v India A in India

2018 New Zealand A Head Coach, v India A in NZ

2018 New Zealand A Head Coach, v Pakistan A in UAE

2019-2022 Auckland Aces Head Coach

2020 New Zealand A Head Coach (batting lead) v India A in NZ

2021 BLACKCAPS specialist skills coach, tour of England (short-term contract)

2022-2026 Ireland Head Coach

2026- Central Stags Head Coach

Achievements in New Zealand

2014/15 Ford Trophy one-day title (Central Stags)

2015/16 Ford Trophy one-day title (Central Stags)

2017/18 Plunket Shield first-class title (Central Stags)

2018/19 Plunket Shield first-class title (Central Stags)

2018/19 Men’s Super Smash T20 title (Central Stags)

2019/20 Ford Trophy one-day title (Auckland Aces)

2021/22 Ford Trophy one-day title (Auckland Aces)

2021/22* Plunket Shield first-class title (Auckland Aces, *partial season)

Selected Achievements with Ireland

2022 Victory versus eventual champions England at the Men’s T20 World Cup at MCG

2024 Ireland’s first Test win, versus Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi (Test status began 2017)

2024  Ireland’s first home Test win, versus Zimbabwe

2026 T20 series whitewash versus India in Ireland (India’s first defeat in 16 series)

— Led Ireland to three T20 World Cups

— T20 wins against England, India, Pakistan, West Indies, South Africa

— Test wins against Afghanistan, Zimbabwe (twice).