Pat Symcox says Faf du Plessis’ personality is more suited to the captaincy role than AB de Villiers.

The former South African bowling all-rounder says momentum played a big role in De Villiers’ decision to step down as Test captain on Monday, with the injuries and Du Plessis’ form as captain making the decision easier.

‘It was a good idea from AB to call it,’ Symcox told Jacaranda Sport. ‘He’s missed two series and they need some momentum. When he’s fit again and he’s back who knows what will happen but for now it’s a good call.’

Symcox, however, questioned it in light of convener of selectors Linda Zondi’s comments leading up to the decision. ‘At the moment it’s clear to us that Faf is stand-in captain and AB is the current captain when he comes back, looking at his fitness and so on,’ Zondi said back in November.

‘What’s surprising for me was that the convener of selectors was talking it (AB’s captaincy) up, so I’m just wondering if they hadn’t had a chat yet,’ said Symcox.

Despite this, Symcox believes Faf is more ‘controlled and measured’, and won’t be affected by the burden of leading the team as much as AB might have been.

‘Faf has done an outstanding job. AB is very involved in the game, whether he’s keeping wicket, fielding, batting up the order … a bit like Jonty Rhodes. It’s not easy for those sort of players to captain a side, while Faf looks a controlled, measured kind of personality. I think it suits him better, and we’ve seen that now.

‘Not detracting away from AB’s ability as a captain. He’s a great student of the game and he’s one of the geniuses of world cricket, but he just seems more settled when he doesn’t have that burden.’

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