Proteas limited-overs coach Rob Walter has all but ruled out the potential inclusion of Faf du Plessis in the squad for this year’s World Cup.
Du Plessis has formally retired from Test cricket, but not ODI and T20I competition.
He is currently playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore – and is the leading run-scorer in the 2023 Indian Premier League.
“First and foremost, for 50-over cricket there’s a slight chance, but not a great one that Faf would play,” Walter told IOL.
“He’s got a few things that he needs to take care of physically that will allow him to continue to play T20 cricket, which is ultimately his bread and butter.
“If that very small chance happens, we’re talking about a quality player who has played a lot of games for South Africa. Everyone in the group knows Faf well.
“For me I look at a guy like Faf and I think he’s got 200-plus international games under the belt. It’s not as if he’s new to the group. He probably understands his role now better than ever before.
“It would be naive not to think that a guy like Faf would strengthen the squad. Of course, he would strengthen the squad, he’s showing himself to be one of the best players in the world.
“But as I said, it probably won’t happen. We are looking at a quality individual with really strong values and a guy who’s led his country. To fit him back into the team, for me, it’s not something that I worry too much about.”