AB de Villiers has stepped down as South Africa's test captain, a decision prompted by his prolonged absence through injury and the success of stand-in skipper Faf du Plessis on the victorious tour of Australia.
Following De Villiers' announcement today, Cricket South Africa confirmed Du Plessis as the new captain.
De Villiers took over at the beginning of the year, midway through a series against England, after Hashim Amla resigned. South Africa lost that series and De Villiers has been out with injury since. He has also been ruled out of the three-match series against Sri Lanka starting this month because of his left elbow problem.
De Villiers said "it is clearly in the greater interests of the team that Faf du Plessis should be confirmed as the permanent test captain."
South Africa will travel to New Zealand in February to face the Black Caps in one T20, five ODIs and three tests.
