Ex-Proteas coach Domingo returns to South Africa to lead Lions' pursuit of glory

Former Proteas head coach Russell Domingo has put pen to paper on a three-year contract to lead the DP World Lions, as confirmed by Lions Cricket CEO Jono Leaf-Wright on Friday.

The 48-year-old is set to begin his journey with the Gauteng club on 1 July 2023.

With determination in his heart, Domingo is eager to pursue various goals, including trophy retention, talent discovery, securing new titles, setting new records, and fulfilling the Union's vision of fostering personal growth on and off the field.

"I am truly honoured to be part of the hugely professional and successful setup of Lions Cricket,” Domingo expressed.  

“I absolutely cannot wait to get started, meet the players, Pride members, and entrench myself amongst this passionate family. I am thrilled to be back in the South African cricketing landscape and know that I'll feel at home."

Domingo's coaching career began in 2004 with the SA u19 team, followed by successful stints as the head coach of the Warriors franchise, where he led the team to victory in domestic one-day and Twenty20 competitions during the 2009–10 season.

He also coached the franchise in the Champions League Twenty20 tournaments of 2010 and 2011, reaching the final in the former but losing to the Chennai Super Kings.

In 2012, Domingo became South Africa's Twenty20 International coach and, the following year, was appointed as the head coach for all formats of the Proteas, a role he held until August 2017.

After coaching Bangladesh for three seasons, he recently took charge of the Netherlands national team before returning home to South Africa to take on the domestic cricket landscape.

Expressing his honour, Lions Cricket CEO Leaf-Wright welcomes the experienced coach, highlighting the honour the