Faf du Plessis has resigned as captain of South Africa’s Test and Twenty20 team, ahead of his expected retirement from international cricket later this year. Du Plessis has already been replaced as one-day captain by Quinton de Kock, who is the front-runner to replace him permanently as captain in the other two formats. He led South Africa in this month’s T20 series against England while du Plessis was rested. The 35-year-old Du Plessis had led the Test team as permanent captain since late 2016 and was captain in all three formats since 2017. He had stepped in as captain in a T20 series as early as 2012. Du Plessis’ decision was not a surprise. He had indicated during the recent home Test series against England that his time in charge was coming to an end. He has committed to playing for South Africa until the ICC Twenty20 World Cup in Australia in October and November, which is likely to be his swansong with the Proteas. Du Plessis, the only South Africa captain to win Test series home and away against Australia, said it was the right time for him to step down and allow a new generation of leaders to emerge. “The last few weeks of rest away from the game have given me a lot of perspective on the great privilege and honour I have had in representing and leading my country in the three formats of this wonderful game,” he said. “It has been a rewarding, sometimes tough and other times a lonely road, but I would not replace the experience for anything because it has made me the man that I am proud to be today.” Du Plessis was selected on Monday as a batsman in the three-game home T20 series against Australia, with De Kock being named as the new captain. Fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje have both been recalled to the squad for series, which starts on Friday.