The search for the new Proteas’ Test captain is lank nie verby nie, according to leader for the season Quinton de Kock.
Cricket South Africa stunned all when they announced the 28-year-old as five-day skipper two weeks ago, despite the player saying in the past that he would not pick up that mantle.
Already leading the limited-overs teams, De Kock also keeps wicket, opens the batting in shorter-form cricket and is one of the team’s stalwarts in the middle order in five-day cricket.
Die man dra baie hoede and of his decision to now add the red-ball cricket captain’s armband to the list as South Africa gears up to face Sri Lanka in the first of two Tests at Centurion Park on Boxing Day, De Kock says it’s only a temporary fix for the setup – he is not in it for the long haul.
The skipper explains: “When the guys [decision-makers] phoned me and told me the situation we were in, I understood where they were coming from.
“Obviously I didn’t accept it immediately – I did think about it. But just understand that it’s only for now – this season, it’s not a long-term thing.
“I think it’s just more for when we do get somebody who really puts up their hand as a leader of the Test team, then they will take over.
The guys are looking for a long-term leadership role. Unfortunately I won’t be doing that.
“But I am happy to do it just for now, until things happen.”
When Sri Lanka last visited South Africa for a Test series in 2019, they beat the hosts 2-0.
Back then the Proteas still had the likes of Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Hashim Amla (all retired now) to call on, meaning De Kock has his work cut out not only to get results, but steering a team that is in a rebuilding process.
Proteas fans can only hope that this temporary solution provides a quick fix to a team that has struggled in recent seasons.