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Update

Faf du Plessis quits as South Africa Test and T20 captain with immediate effect

Du Plessis: "I remain committed to play in all three formats of the game for now as a player and will offer my knowledge and time to the new leaders of the team"

Tuesday 18 February 2020 07:46, UK

Faf Du Plessis
Image: Faf du Plessis' final series as Test captain was the home defeat to England

Faf du Plessis has stood down as captain of South Africa's Test and T20 sides with immediate effect.

Du Plessis will be replaced by Quinton de Kock, who also succeeded the 35-year-old as the Proteas' ODI skipper last month. Du Plessis has been recalled as a batsman for the three-match T20I series against Australia that starts on Friday.

A Cricket South Africa statement read: "(Du Plessis) has cited a need to take a step back from captaincy in order to help facilitate the emergence of the next generation of leaders within the team under the new stewardship of Quinton de Kock.

"Du Plessis would like to concentrate on contributing to the team as a batsman and senior player who will offer guidance and advice to the new leadership group as part of their succession planning."

Du Plessis added: "The last few weeks of rest away from the game have given me a lot of perspective on the great privilege and honour I have had in representing and leading my country in the three formats of this wonderful game.

Quinton de Kock South Africa
Image: Quinton de Kock will now lead the Proteas in all three formats of the game

"It has been a rewarding, sometimes tough and other times a lonely road, but I would not replace the experience for anything, because it has made me the man that I am proud to be today.

"When I took over the leadership, I did so with the commitment to lead, perform and most importantly, to serve.

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"As the team heads into a new direction with new leaders and a young crop of players, I feel it will be in the best interests of South African cricket to relinquish the captaincy in all formats.

"This was one of the toughest decisions to make, but I remain fully committed to supporting Quinton, Mark (Boucher, head coach) and my team-mates as we continue to rebuild and re-align as a group.

"I have strived to lead the team with dignity and authenticity during exhilarating highs and devastating lows. I have given my everything during my tenure.

PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA - FEBRUARY 21: Faf du Plessis (capt) of South Africa b Dimuth Karunaratne (capt) of Sri Lanka during day 1 of the 2nd Castle Lager Test match between South Africa and Sri Lanka at St George's Park on February 21, 2019 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images)
Image: Du Plessis struggled with the bat during England's tour of South Africa - his final Test series as Proteas captain

"I have never been one to throw in the towel and do believe I am putting the team first and believe we have to stick through the tough times to get to the good times."

Du Plessis' final series as Test captain was the 3-1 home defeat to England. He struggled with the bat throughout the four matches, recording an average of just 18.87.

He was rested for the T20 series against England this month - which Eoin Morgan's side won on Sunday - with De Kock standing in as captain.

Du Plessis, and fast bowler Kagiso Rabada have been recalled, however, for the three-match T20I series against Australia that starts on Friday.

Kagiso Rabada
Image: Kagiso Rabada returns for South Africa in the three-match T20I series versus Australia

Further fast bowling reserves have been added in the form of Anrich Nortje, but in-form opening batsman Temba Bavuma will have to prove his fitness after injuring his hamstring against England on Sunday.

The trio come into the side in the place of Reeza Hendricks, Beuran Hendricks and Sisanda Magala.

There is no return yet for AB de Villiers though, who is in talks with South Africa coach Mark Boucher about coming out of international retirement ahead of the T20 World Cup in Australia in October.

Boucher has said that if De Villiers plays the matches they want him to, and is in form, he will make the squad.

AB de Villiers made 40 from 32 balls in Brisbane Heat's seven-wicket win over Adelaide Strikers at the Gabba on Tuesday
Image: AB de Villiers is in talks with South Africa head coach Mark Boucher about a possible return to the side

"I have had chats with him and we will probably know pretty soon what's going to happen with him," Boucher told reporters.

"If AB is in good form and he is raring to go, and he makes himself available for the time we have asked him to be available, if he is the best man for the job then he must go."

The series against Australia starts in Johannesburg on Friday, before moving to Port Elizabeth on Sunday and finally Cape Town on February 26. The sides will then clash in three ODIs.

South Africa squad vs Australia: Quinton de Kock (captain), Temba Bavuma, Faf du Plessis, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Pite van Biljon, Dwaine Pretorius, Andile Phehlukwayo, Jon-Jon Smuts, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lungi Ngidi, Bjorn Fortuin, Anrich Nortje, Dale Steyn, Heinrich Klaasen.