AB de Villliers remains South Africa captain, despite Faf du Plessis heroics
Thursday 17 November 2016 08:49, UK
AB de Villiers' job as South African skipper appears safe despite Faf du Plessis impressing with his leadership as stand-in captain during back-to-back Test wins over Australia, according to the selectors.
Key batsman De Villiers was ruled out of the series with a left elbow injury that required surgery but Du Plessis has performed well in his absence as stand-in skipper.
His vision has been praised in steering the team to an unassailable 2-0 lead. A win in the final day-night Test in Adelaide next week will consign Australia to their first home series whitewash in history.
Despite this, selectors are not considering promoting Du Plessis to do the job full-time.
"At the moment it's clear to us that Faf is stand-in captain and AB is the current captain when he comes back," said chairman of selectors Linda Zondi.
De Villiers could now be fit for the home series against Sri Lanka, which begins on December 26 at Port Elizabeth.
"We will be guided [as to when he can play] by the medical team in terms of where he is and in terms of match fitness," Zondi added.
"He has been away for five months, a long time. For starters, he has to be match fit."
South Africa thrashed Australia by 177 runs in the opening Perth Test and followed that up with an innings and 80 run demolition of the hosts in Hobart this week.
It was a fifth consecutive defeat for Australia which saw chairman of selectors Rod Marsh quit, with Trevor Hohns temporarily replacing him.
The third and final Test starts on November 24 in Adelaide.
