Rob Walter keen to rope Faf du Plessis back into Proteas setup

Du Plessis, who captained South Africa in all formats, has been sidelined from the national team since his retirement from Test cricket in 2021 – when his Cricket South Africa contract was also not renewed.

The 38-year-old, however, remains available for the white-ball formats but hasn't been called up for any of the series or World Cups in 2021 and 2022.

CSA director of cricket Enoch Nkwe has now opened up on the way forward for du Plessis, whom Walter is keen to engage to try and find a workable solution for the on-form T20 star.

"Look, there were conversations, obviously, before the World Cup [in Australia] with the then-selection panel and coach [Mark Boucher], and we did conclude those conversations in terms of the way forward," explained Nkwe.

"But we've always been open to talks with our sort-of 'freelance' players and, having spoken to the coach, Rob [Walter], he is very much interested to resume those conversations to see how best we can all work together moving forward.

"And, from a Cricket South Africa point of view, we're happy to engage and let's see how we can find the best way forward."

Du Plessis recently led SA20 side the Joburg Super Kings to the semi-finals of the inaugural competition, in which he also became the first player to score a century when he notched up 113 runs from just 58 balls against Durban's Super Giants.

The Proteas will face West Indies in two three-match ODI and T20 series respectively, but du Plessis' return might come later as contractual reviews are still being done by CSA.

"In terms of contracting, we're continuously engaging with SACA [South African Cricketers Association] in that aspect to ensure we remain proactive," Nkwe added.

"Because the reality is that a lot is evolving at the moment in our cricketing landscape, so we're trying our best to put our front foot [forward] on the contracting side of things.

"So, yes, as it stands, there is a format contract, but quite a number of players are still committed to all three formats, some only white-ball, some only red-ball.

"What we foresee in the near future, maybe even in the next 12 months, is that it might even go more specific into T20s, ODIs and Tests. So, those are some of the things we're actually looking at, and we'll continue to work on."