De Villiers confirmed as SA's Test skipper

Cricket Souith Africa has today confirmed AB de Villiers will be the Proteas full-time Test captain.

De Villiers was the caretaker captain for South Africa's final two Tests against England following the resignation of Hashim Amla in the wake of the second Test draw in Cape Town.

"This is an exciting time for South African cricket, and I am honoured to have been asked to captain the Test team into a new era," De Villiers said in a statement released by CSA.

"I thoroughly enjoyed captaining in the last two Tests against England, and although I still have a lot to learn in this role, it's a new challenge that I'm excited to take on.

"I have been privileged to play in several outstanding Proteas teams over the past 11 seasons, and I believe we are witnessing the emergence of another great team.

"There is plenty of hard work ahead of us; we are rebuilding and have a long way to go to being a finished product as a squad."

De Villiers is the Proteas one-day international skipper and guided his side to the 2015 World Cup semi-final against New Zealand, who will also be the 31-year-old's first opponents as the permanent Test leader in August.

Ranked the No.1 ODI batsman in the world by the official International Cricket Council player rankings, De Villiers form in the five-day game has not mirrored his devastating touch in the 50-over format.

Since taking over from Amla, De Villiers has scored 36 and three ducks, the first globe coming in Johannesburg where the hosts were humbled by Stuart Broad to be bowled out for 83 to lose the Test by seven wickets inside three days. 

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The aftermath of the shocking defeat at the Wanderers caused five changes for the fourth Test in Centurion where South Africa rebounding in fine style to thump England by 280 runs due to a hostile 13-wicket haul from young speedster Kagiso Rabada.

"We may have to fight through some tough times, but the recent performances of Kagiso Rabada, Temba Bavuma, Dane Piedt, Dean Elgar and others have created an opportunity to build a team that delights and unites our country as never before," De Villiers said.

"I could not be more excited about the future.

"I am fully committed to the Proteas, but more than anything, I am grateful for the support from my team mates, Cricket South Africa and the people of our rainbow nation."

CSA chief executive Haroon Lorgat congratulated De Villiers on the appointment and thanked his predecessor.

"AB is a class cricketer and a special person and the Board is delighted that he has taken on the responsibility to lead the Proteas Test team during this crucial phase of guiding new players and rebuilding the team to once again be the best in the world,” Lorgat said.

"AB’s commitment to the Proteas and international cricket is a lesson for many other cricketers and the Board was unanimous in appointing AB to take charge of the team.

"Having known AB since he started his international career, I am confident that he will lead by example and display the brilliance and passion that he is so blessed with.

"I would also like to thank Hashim Amla for the manner in which he led the Proteas during a very tough transitional period."

Along with De Viller's appointment, CSA released their contracted player list for next year, with five players; De Villers, Amla, Faf du Plessis, JP Duminy, Morne Morkel, Vernon Philander and Dale Steyn earning two-year deals.

Full contract list: Kyle Abbott, Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock, AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis, JP Duminy, Dean Elgar, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada, Rilee Rossouw, Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir