There were question marks over du Plessis’ future after he stepped down from captaincy across formats last month. Earlier this year, he had indicated that the Test series in West Indies in July/August could be his final gig in whites, stating “probably, after that Test, cricket will be something that won’t see me.”

However, the 35-year-old found a place in the new 16-man list of centrally contracted players for the 2020-21 season.

“Two Test matches in the West Indies [in July], and the rest of the year is white-ball stuff. Most probably after that, Test cricket will be something that won’t see me.”

Is Faf du Plessis' time in South African whites coming to an end?#SAvENGhttps://t.co/BEaPoWf4yu

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) January 20, 2020

In January, Graeme Smith, CSA’s director of cricket, had admitted that du Plessis does not see himself being around for the 2023 World Cup, indicating a leadership change, with Quinton de Kock identified as his successor. There were reports that the ex-skipper was eyeing international retirement later this year, with the Test series against England, which concluded in January, supposed to have been his last on home soil.

Upon relinquishing captaincy, however, du Plessis had stated that he plans to “remain committed” as a player across all formats, but had not specified a specific time period.

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Dale Steyn, du Plessis’ long-term teammate, has not been added to the list this year, missing out along with Theunis de Bruyn. Hashim Amla and Vernon Philander, now retired, have been withdrawn, paving way for Beuran Hendricks to earn his maiden contract.

Anrich Nortje, Rassie van der Dussen and Dwaine Pretorius have all been offered an upgraded deal, and are part of the list.