De Villiers appointed Proteas Test captain

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Cricket South Africa's (CSA) Board of Directors have confirmed AB de Villiers as Proteas Test captain following a recommendation received from the national selectors.

The 31 year-old De Villiers has accepted the offer to lead the Proteas on a permanent basis after serving as the stand-in captain for the last two Sunfoil Tests against England.

His first assignment in charge will be against New Zealand in August in South Africa.

CSA Chief Executive, Haroon Lorgat said: "AB is a class cricketer and a special person and the Board is delighted that he has taken on the responsibility to lead the Proteas Test team during this crucial phase of guiding new players and rebuilding the team to once again be the best in the world.

"AB's commitment to the Proteas and international cricket is a lesson for many other cricketers and the Board was unanimous in appointing AB to take charge of the team.

"Having known AB since he started his international career, I am confident that he will lead by example and display the brilliance and passion that he is so blessed with.

"I would also like to thank Hashim Amla for the manner in which he led the Proteas during a very tough transitional period."

De Villiers expressed his delight at being appointed the Proteas Test captain.

"This is an exciting time for South African cricket, and I am honoured to have been asked to captain the Test team into a new era.

"I thoroughly enjoyed captaining in the last two Tests against England, and although I still have a lot to learn in this role, it's a new challenge that I'm excited to take on.

"I have been privileged to play in several outstanding Proteas teams over the past 11 seasons, and I believe we are witnessing the emergence of another great team.

"There is plenty of hard work ahead of us; we are rebuilding and have a long way to go to being a finished product as a squad."

"We may have to fight through some tough times, but the recent performances of Kagiso Rabada, Temba Bavuma, Dane Piedt, Dean Elgar and others have created an opportunity to build a team that delights and unites our country as never before.

"I could not be more excited about the future. I am fully committed to the Proteas, but more than anything, I am grateful for the support from my team mates, Cricket South Africa and the people of our rainbow nation."

The Board also confirmed the national contracted players for the next year, with certain players being awarded two-year contracts.

The contracted players are: Kyle Abbott, David Miller, Hashim Amla (2 Years), Morne Morkel (2 Years), Temba Bavuma, Wayne Parnell, Farhaan Behardien, Aaron Phangiso, Quinton de Kock, Vernon Philander (2 Years), AB de Villiers (2 Years), Kagiso Rabada, Faf du Plessis (2 Years), Rilee Rossouw, JP Duminy (2 years), Dale Steyn (2 Years), Dean Elgar, Imran Tahir

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