Former captain Graeme Smith was on Friday appointed Cricket South Africa's permanent Director of Cricket for a two-year term, a post which he held on an interim basis since December last year.
The 39-year-old was brought on board to put South African cricket back on track.
"Graeme has made a huge impact with his energy, expertise, hard work ethic and characteristic determination and passion he has brought to the position during the six months he has served in an acting capacity," said CSA Acting Chief Executive Jacques Faul.
"Although there is certainly a great deal of work to be done, as reflected by the performances of our various national teams, he has certainly put our cricket on an upward trajectory that provides light at the end of the tunnel."