Du Plessis, Rabada back in South African squad

Former captain Faf du Plessis and fast bowler Kagiso Rabada will return to the South African squad for a three-match Twenty20 international series against Australia, starting at the Wanderers Stadium Friday.

Du Plessis, who announced earlier Monday that he was stepping down from the captaincy, is part of a 16-man squad to be captained by Quinton de Kock.

Both Du Plessis and Rabada were rested from one-day and T20I series against England following a Test series between the sides which ended last month.

@faf1307 has quit as @OfficialCSA captain across all three formats of cricket, but will remain available for selection, Cricket South Africa announced Monday.https://t.co/ETZgMTFxyx#CSA #CRICKET #SOUTHAFRICA #SOUTH #AFRICA #CRICKETSOUTHAFRICA #SOUTHAFRICACRICKET #FAF #DUPLESSIS

— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) February 18, 2020

Fast bowler Anrich Nortje, one of South Africa's successes in a losing Test series, has also been included in the squad named by Cricket South Africa Monday.

Independent selector Linda Zondi said the inclusion of Rabada and Nortje would boost the team's bowling following a 2-1 defeat by England in a series which ended Sunday.

Temba Bavuma’s selection is dependent on a scan of his right hamstring after he was injured during Sunday’s final match against England.

South African squad: Quinton de Kock (capt, wkt), Temba Bavuma, Faf du Plessis, Bjorn Fortuin, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Jon-Jon Smuts, Dale Steyn, Pite van Biljon and Rassie van der Dussen

T20I series fixtures:

February 21, Johannesburg

February 23, Port Elizabeth

February 26, Cape Town