Francois “Faf” du Plessis is a South African international cricketer known for his leadership, batting prowess, and fielding skills. Born on July 13, 1984, in Pretoria, Transvaal Province, South Africa, du Plessis has been a key player for the South African cricket team across all formats. With a career that spans over a decade, du Plessis has established himself as one of the most reliable batsmen in the South African lineup, known for his ability to anchor the innings and play match-winning knocks under pressure.
Biography
Faf du Plessis grew up in a sporting family and attended Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies) in Pretoria, where he excelled in cricket. His talent was evident from a young age, leading him to play for various junior national teams. Du Plessis made his first-class debut for Northerns in 2004 and gradually made his mark in domestic cricket.
His international debut came much later, in 2011, when he played his first ODI against India. Du Plessis’ Test debut was memorable, as he scored a defiant century in the second innings against Australia in Adelaide in 2012, saving the match for South Africa. Over the years, du Plessis took on leadership roles, including captaining the South African national team across formats, showcasing his strategic acumen and leading by example with his performances.
Sporting Achievements
Faf du Plessis’ sporting achievements are highlighted by several memorable innings and leadership milestones. As a batsman, du Plessis has been known for his gritty performances, particularly in Test cricket, where his ability to play long innings has been crucial for his team. His debut Test century against Australia in Adelaide is often cited as one of the greatest defensive innings, helping South Africa draw a match that seemed lost.
Under his captaincy, South Africa achieved significant successes, including series wins at home and abroad. Du Plessis has been praised for his tactical understanding of the game and his ability to inspire his teammates.
In limited-overs cricket, du Plessis has been a consistent performer for South Africa, contributing significantly in ODIs and T20Is. His leadership in the 2019 Cricket World Cup was notable, even as South Africa did not advance past the group stages.
Apart from his international career, du Plessis has been a prominent player in T20 leagues around the world, including the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he has been a key player for the Chennai Super Kings, among others. His performances in the IPL have further cemented his reputation as a versatile and reliable batsman.
Faf du Plessis’ career is a testament to his resilience, skill, and leadership on and off the cricket field. His contributions to South African cricket have been invaluable, and he remains one of the most respected figures in the game.
Player Stats
Batting & Fielding
| FORMAT | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
| Tests | 69 | 118 | 14 | 4163 | 199 | 40.02 | 8986 | 46.32 | 10 | 21 | 516 | 21 | 63 | 0 |
| ODIs | 143 | 136 | 20 | 5507 | 185 | 47.47 | 6215 | 88.60 | 12 | 35 | 495 | 66 | 81 | 0 |
| T20Is | 50 | 50 | 7 | 1528 | 119 | 35.53 | 1137 | 134.38 | 1 | 10 | 140 | 50 | 24 | 0 |
| FC | 150 | 250 | 26 | 8798 | 199 | 39.27 | – | – | 18 | 52 | – | – | 141 | 0 |
| List A | 262 | 244 | 42 | 9483 | 185 | 46.94 | 10599 | 89.47 | 21 | 57 | – | – | 147 | 0 |
| T20s | 358 | 338 | 38 | 9687 | 120* | 32.29 | 7246 | 133.68 | 5 | 65 | 867 | 337 | 178 | 0 |
Bowling
| FORMAT | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
| Tests | 69 | 5 | 78 | 69 | 0 | – | – | – | 5.30 | – | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ODIs | 143 | 11 | 192 | 189 | 2 | 1/8 | 1/8 | 94.50 | 5.90 | 96.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| T20Is | 50 | 2 | 8 | 3 | 0 | – | – | – | 2.25 | – | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| FC | 150 | – | 2558 | 1477 | 41 | 4/39 | – | 36.02 | 3.46 | 62.3 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| List A | 262 | – | 2238 | 2030 | 54 | 4/47 | 4/47 | 37.59 | 5.44 | 41.4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| T20s | 358 | 52 | 790 | 917 | 50 | 5/19 | 5/19 | 18.34 | 6.96 | 15.8 | 1 | 2 | 0 |