What the Faf? Du Plessis Missing from SA20 Roster

Cricket fans are asking the question that seemed unthinkable just months ago: What happens in cricket after Faf du Plessis? The 42-year-old South African legend has been conspicuously absent from the Joburg Super Kings roster announced for next summer's SA20 tournament.

A Career Spanning Three Decades

Du Plessis has played 1,092 games dating back to December 9, 1996, when he was part of a Northern Transvaal under-13 side. His international journey began with an under-19 four-day match against England at Headingley in August 2003. None of his teammates from that match are still playing at competitive level.

Since then, du Plessis has played 252 matches for 15 teams across 10 countries. At any given hour when cricket is being played anywhere in the world, du Plessis has been more likely than not to be out there — a 42-year-old performing as if he were a decade younger.

The Joburg Super Kings Connection

The omission is particularly shocking given du Plessis' integral role with Joburg Super Kings. The franchise has played 44 games, and only four of them have not included du Plessis. He practically is the franchise — think yellow, and a familiar bearded smile comes to mind.

While Rassie van der Dussen and Imran Tahir are also missing from the roster, the absence of du Plessis has generated the most surprise and speculation.

From Decentish Leg Spinner to Legend

Du Plessis wasn't always the Faf we know today. Early in his career, he was considered a decent leg spinner, an energetic fielder, and somewhat overshadowed as "the poor person's AB de Villiers." His first senior international came in an ODI against India at Newlands in January 2011, where he scored 60 off 78 balls in a losing cause.

The legend of "Faf the Magic Dragon" truly began to unfold on November 24, 2012, during the second Test in Adelaide. After replacing Graeme Smith and famously losing a boot while going down the stairs, du Plessis batted for almost three-and-a-half hours on debut, scoring 78.

But the defining moment came when South Africa, set a mythical 430 to win, crashed to 45/4. Du Plessis' undefeated 110, fashioned in almost eight hours off 376 balls, was central to South Africa drawing the match and eventually winning the series.

Captaincy and Controversy

Du Plessis went on to captain South Africa in 36 Tests, 39 ODIs, and 37 T20Is. He also led an ICC World XI in three T20Is against Pakistan in Lahore in September 2017. While South Africa has had more successful captains, few have been as intellectually alive and articulate as du Plessis, making his press conferences both a journalist's dream and nightmare — everything he said was quotable.

His career wasn't without controversy. The "Mintgate" incident at Hobart in November 2016, where he was caught applying saliva from a mouth containing a mint to the ball, drew significant criticism from Australian media and fans.

What's Next?

Several theories exist for du Plessis' absence from the SA20 roster. He may have angered franchise owners by preferring the PSL over the IPL auction. He might be tired of constant travel. Or perhaps, at 42, he's simply ready to slow down.

However, all is not lost — Joburg Super Kings still have a wildcard spot available. The cricket world waits to see if this is truly the beginning of cricket after Faf, or just another chapter in the ongoing saga of one of the game's most enduring figures.