Faf du Plessis: South Africa Captain, Consistent Test Batter, and T20 League Pioneer
Faf du Plessis played 69 Tests for South Africa between 2012 and 2021, scoring 4,163 runs at 40.02 with 10 centuries. He captained South Africa in 36 Tests (18 wins) from 2016 to 2020. Known for his slip catching, fighting innings under pressure, and leadership during a difficult period for South African cricket. He retired from Test cricket in 2021 to focus on T20 franchise cricket, becoming one of the most sought-after T20 players globally — including captaining Royal Challengers Bangalore and Joburg Super Kings.
Faf du Plessis played 69 Tests for South Africa from 2012 to 2021, scoring 4,163 runs at 40.02 with 10 centuries. He captained South Africa in 36 Tests (18W/12L/6D) — a respectable record during a period when South African cricket faced administrative instability and ICC sanctions over player payments.
The Fighting Innings in Pakistan 2013
In the 2013 Test series in Pakistan (played in the UAE), du Plessis arrived at the crease in the second Test at 48/4, with South Africa needing to draw the match to retain the series. He batted for 500 minutes on the final day, scoring 110* in the first innings and 137* in the second — an extraordinary effort to save the match and draw the series 1–1. The innings is regarded as among the best 'rescue' innings in South African Test history.
T20 Legacy Post-Retirement
Du Plessis retired from Test cricket in 2021 to pursue T20 franchise opportunities. He has since played in the IPL (Royal Challengers Bangalore captain, 2022), SA20 (Joburg Super Kings captain), ILT20, and The Hundred. His decision to prioritise T20 franchise cricket over Test cricket mirrored a wider trend of senior players choosing franchise contracts over international red-ball commitments — a trend that cricket administrators have struggled to address through player payment structures.
Frequently asked questions
How does the growing trend of South African Test players (du Plessis, de Kock) prioritising T20 franchise cricket over Tests compare to the rest of the world, and what does Cricket South Africa do to address it?
T20 franchise defections: South Africa vs global context. South Africa's retention problem is among the most acute in world cricket. Key players who have retired from Test cricket to pursue T20 franchise contracts: Faf du Plessis (2021), Quinton de Kock (2022, retired from Tests at 29), AB de Villiers (2018, age 34 — though de Villiers indicated a willingness to return for the 2019 World Cup, refused by CSA). The economic reality: an IPL contract for a top player generates approximately R10–15 million ($550,000–$825,000) per 45-day season. CSA's top Test contract pays approximately R1.5–2.5 million per year. The gap is approximately 4–6× — the largest disparity in any major cricket nation (England, Australia, and India all pay higher national contract salaries). CSA's attempts to address it: (1) Domestic T20 league (SA20, launched 2023) — CSA structured it so that franchise revenue partly flows back to CSA player contracts; (2) Non-removable central contract clause — players who prioritise franchise cricket over national commitments can be dropped from contracts; (3) No objection certificates (NOC) — CSA controls whether players can participate in non-CSA T20 leagues. The balance: England (IPL) and Australia (BBL vs Test schedule conflict) have similar issues but manage them through guaranteed Ashes and ICC event contracts and higher base ECB/CA salaries. India has no conflict because BCCI contracts pay more than IPL. The structural gap in CSA's player payment model is the core issue.