Quinton de Kock named South Africa captain for 2020/21 Test campaign

South Africa have not played Test cricket since losing to England in a four-match series prior to the global outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic

Quinton de Kock has been named as South Africa’s Test captain for the forthcoming season, beginning with two Tests against Sri Lanka.

The Proteas have not played Test cricket since losing to England in a four-match series prior to the global outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

The series was Faf du Plessis’ last as Test skipper; the 36-year-old resigned the captaincy of South Africa’s Test and T20I sides in February, having already been replaced by de Kock in the ODI format.

At the time, de Kock became favourite to succeed du Plessis, who had been the Test team’s permanent captain since 2016. However, Graeme Smith, South Africa’s director of cricket, said in April that “Quinton will be our white-ball captain and he won't be the Test captain going forward”.

He added: “We want to keep Quinton fresh and playing well. I've always believed, having been in the job myself, that captaining all three formats is challenging. We've seen a number of nations trying to figure out what's best and I think across three formats, it probably doesn't work.”

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Yet, after leading his country against England in their recent T20I series, he has been handed the captaincy to face Sri Lanka, who famously won in South Africa in 2019. It will be the first time he has led his nation in the longest format.

Cricket South Africa convenor of selectors Victor Mpitsang said in a statement: “Quinton is happy to continue in the role for the next season and is comfortable with the balance of the workload and we back him fully as a captain.

“We are also pleased with the leadership group in the team and are cultivating a strong individual leadership culture at the same time, so that the team produces a sustainable stream of potential captains for the future.”

Du Plessis is included in the hosts’ 15-man squad, as well as Sarel Erwee, Glenton Stuurman and Kyle Verreyne, who earn their first call-ups. Neither Kagiso Rabada nor Dwaine Pretorius, who picked up injuries during and before the England series, were considered ready for selection.

Squad: Quinton de Kock (c, wk), Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, Faf du Plessis, Beuran Hendricks, Dean Elgar, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Rassie van der Dussen, Sarel Erwee, Anrich Nortje, Glenton Stuurman, Wiaan Mulder, Keegan Petersen, Kyle Verreynne