AB de Villiers, who is still recovering from an elbow injury, has stepped down as South Africa’s Test captain with immediate effect.

Faf du Plessis has been named the full-time skipper of the Test team.

De Villiers was appointed as captain in January this year after Hashim Amla resigned.

However, he has led in only two Tests as the elbow injury and subsequent surgery has kept him out of competitive cricket since mid-July.

De Villiers said,

“

The interests of the team must always outweigh the interests of any individual, including me. It was a fantastic honour for me to be asked to captain the test side but I have missed two series and I am still in doubt for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka. Following the squad’s outstanding performances in Australia, it is clearly in the greater interests of the team that Faf du Plessis should be confirmed as the permanent Test captain.

”

The Proteas Test squad for the Sri Lanka series will be announced later this week.

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