South African captain Shaun Pollock has been sacked after his side crashed out in the first stage of the World Cup.
South Africa's convener of selectors Omar Henry earlier insisted Pollock would remain as skipper at least until Monday.
But the United Cricket Board of South Africa announced later on Saturday their General Council had relieved Pollock of the captaincy.
A replacement will be named on Sunday.
"The general council of
the United Cricket Board of South Africa has decided to relieve
Shaun Pollock of the captaincy of the South African national team
with immediate effect," said a UCBSA statement.
"Shaun is a valuable member of the national squad and one of
the world's best all rounders. He will continue to play a vital role in the
team," added UCBSA chief executive Gerald Majola.
South Africa exited the World Cup after Pollock miscalculated the number of runs his side needed to win under the Duckworth-Lewis system in a rain-affected match against Sri Lanka.
Mark Boucher blocked out the last ball after receiving instructions from his captain, but the total was only good enough for a tie.
Former South African batting great Barry Richards called
Pollock's sacking a "knee-jerk" reaction.
Richards said: "It all looks like a bit of a knee jerk to me.
"You've got to sit down and think about these things.
be the right thing to do but it all looks too rushed to me.
"You've got to go through things like this rationally."
Pollock's captaincy has previously come under fire since taking over as skipper from Hansie Cronje three years ago.
He was criticised after South Africa lost back-to-back Test series against Australia 3-0 and 2-1 in 2002.
Coach Graham Ford was axed in June that year, but the selectors kept their faith in Pollock's captaincy.