Proteas batsman and former skipper, Faf du Plessis, has found a new crucial role to play in the Proteas set-up and remains keen to play in all three formats, writes Ongama Gcwabe.

Having captained the Proteas in all three formats for the last four seasons, Du Plessis has made way for the new generation to take over the captaincy duties. 

“Of course I do [miss captaincy]. I love captaincy,” Du Plessis revealed.

A lot of pressure was on Faf after they lost three Test series’ and had a disappointing World Cup, all in a space of 11 months. 

“The pressure really sort of [started] pointing towards me and a lot of energy was pushed towards me. I just felt at the time that I’ve been fighting the good fight for the Proteas and I gave it my absolute everything, ” Du Plessis insisted.

“I think the biggest reason for that is I felt that it was a new coaching staff and then a new coaching staff could start to do the journey with someone new.

“Whereas I have a lot of value to add to that but I think the time is right now to fast track that process which is why I took the decision to step away.”

Faf insists he hasn’t considered going abroad to start a career like most of the big names he played with in the Proteas teams of the past did.

The 35-year-old still has a lot to offer South African cricket as he has done in his International career.

“I still love playing for the Proteas. I still love being involved with the Proteas. I still see myself add huge value. Not at any stage that I decided that I wanted to go and sign deals overseas in my communication to those guys,” continued Du Plessis.

“I’m still extremely motivated and keen to play for the Proteas in all the formats. That hasn’t changed and this time away from the game has made sure that hunger for me is still there.”

Faf has found a new role play in the side as a senior player and is keen to offer guidance to less-experienced teammates.

“I do think, as I said, the time is right for me to move on to what will be now a position of growing other leaders. [Which is] something that I feel is lacking in our system, and it’s something that I want to make sure that I can create some sort of value towards,” he explained.

“This is something that I’ve looked at as a real purpose to my next year for the Proteas is to really get stuck in, grow guys and share my experience that I’ve gained in the last six/seven years. So that’s something that I’m really looking forward to.”