Proteas captain Faf du Plessis has confirmed that JP Duminy will not play in the second Test at Trent Bridge, while Duanne Olivier comes in for Kagiso Rabada.

Du Plessis has confirmed the answer to the biggest selection question going into the second Test in Nottingham: Duminy has been dropped.

Duminy’s form has been a sticky issue for some time now, and despite scoring two big centuries last season, he was never seen as far from getting the chop. He’s now gone eight innings without passing 40, and he’s been dropped for the side for the first time since the New Years Test against England at Newlands.

Duminy missed two Tests in that series, but was thrust back into the side after scoring a career-best 260 not out for the Cobras. With AB de Villiers out of the side, Duminy was brought back into the side as a No 4, but hasn’t displayed the consistency required to justify his place there.

The 33-year-old might well struggle to work his way back into the setup now, and with an average of 32.85 from 46 Tests, his Test career will go down as one of unfulfilled talent.

It’s also been confirmed that Duanne Olivier will be Kagiso Rabada’s replacement. It was thought to be between Olivier and Chris Morris, but Olivier has won the race. The Knights paceman made his debut against Sri Lanka and took match figures of 5-57, and he’ll get the chance to add to the Test cap he earned in January.

Theunis de Bruyn is likely to keep his place in the side at No 6, with Faf du Plessis moving up to No 4. It’s possible, however, that they might pick Chris Morris to come in at No 7 as the all-rounder.