Cape Town - The Cape Cobras have paid tribute to former skipper and all-rounder Justin Ontong.
The 37-year-old has retired effectively from cricket in order to take up his role as fielding coach in Ottis Gibson's new-look support staff for the national side.
Ontong has been a stalwart in the Cobras line-up for the past 20 years, scoring 11 933 runs at an average of 41.87 at first-class level while also capturing 136 wickets.
At this year's Cape Cobras awards, he walked away with the Sunfoil Series Player of the Year accolade.
He struck 593 runs at an average of 53.90 in the 2016/17 season and finished fourth on the national list of batting averages.
Ontong also had a on and off stint for the Proteas, making appearances in two Tests, 28 ODIs and 14 T20Is.
After the abandoned RAM SLAM T20 Challenge semi-final against the Dolphins, Cobras skipper Dane Piedt and all-rounder George Linde took to social media to bid farewell to the all-rounder.
Ontong will not be with the Cobras on Thursday as they kick-off their One Day Cup campaign against the Dolphins, but will be helping the Proteas prepare for their historic Boxing Day Test match against Zimbabwe.
As Cobras legend Justin Ontong now moves into his new coaching role with @OfficialCSA, we thank him for all the memories and for his service to cricket in the Western Cape and wish him all the success in his future endeavours #Legend #Champion @BeresfordW pic.twitter.com/X3lfSRJwXo
— COBRAS CRICKET (@CobrasCricket) December 15, 2017