South Africa must be wary of recalling AB de Villiers for T20 World Cup, admits Jonty Rhodes

The 36-year-old has not played any international cricket since April 2018 but continues to flirt with a return to the fold - though it could come at a cost

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AB de Villiers would be a major asset to South Africa at the T20 World Cup but his return would set a dangerous precedent according to Jonty Rhodes.

Since calling time on his international career in 2018, the 36-year-old has continually flirted with the idea of a return to The Proteas team.

He made an offer to be part of the squad for last year's 50-over World Cup in England but new coach Mark Boucher has admitted he would consider calling on De Villiers.

While South Africa's white-ball form has been variable in recent months, De Villiers continues to star in franchise competitions across the world.

In the Mzansi Super League on home soil, he struck 325 runs at 47.42 before a cameo outing at the Big Bash League where he averaged 24.33 in six matches.

Rhodes has little doubt that De Villiers' recall would improve the South Africa team but is concerned over the message any return would send out for the rest of the squad.

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"I think it's interesting because it's a tough call," Rhodes told ESPNcricinfo. "You want your best team to play, it's also tough on the guys who then miss out. 

"I suppose a lot of people watch how he performed at the IPL but just watching him in the Big Bash, he's such a class player; I'm a big fan of AB de Villiers. 

"I'm just not sure of the precedent. If you want to win a T20 World Cup, you should do anything to win it. You're not breaking any rules, you are setting a slight precedent and you are going to be upsetting a few players who are going to miss out. 

"I'd love to see that guy play. It'll just be great to see AB de Villiers play at a World Cup again for us."

Quinton de Kock's side recently lost back-to-back T20 series against England and Australia, both of which ended 2-1. Their next white-ball outings come in a three-match one-day international series in India.