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Steyn backs de Villiers to return as captain
- Updated: December 9, 2016
Dale Steyn has joined convener of selectors Linda Zondi in endorsing AB de Villiers as South Africa’s permanent Test captain, and wants to see him back in the role once fit.
“I think so, he is the captain. He is definitely the captain,” Steyn said at an exhibition match between the South African cricket and rugby teams at Newlands. “I know Faf has done really well for us right now, but AB is the captain. He has earned that spot. He has played for a long time, and he said he wants to do it and he got the opportunity to. Unfortunately, he got injured, but he is the man at the end of the day.”
De Villiers was named Test captain in February after having taken the role temporarily when Hashim Amla stood down midway during the home series against England, but has yet to properly assume his new job. An elbow injury that required surgery kept de Villiers out of the home Tests against New Zealand in August and the series in Australia. He is expected to be fit for the Sri Lanka series, which starts on Boxing Day. But he has only had one net session so far and has yet to get any game time, which is why Graeme Smith felt de Villiers’ focus should be on getting match fit before he thinks about the captaincy conundrum.
“The most important thing for AB now is just to focus on getting back and fit and playing cricket. I don’t think he should even engage in thinking about that …
