Joburg Super Kings have lost captain Faf du Plessis for what remains of the 2026 SA20, the opener confirmed to be heading for surgery on a torn ligament in his right thumb. It is the second sizeable setback for JSK in a week, with Rilee Rossouw already ruled out by a hamstring issue.
Du Plessis hurt himself while fielding against MI Cape Town on Saturday and did not come out to bat in a chase of 235. James Vince and youngster Dian Forrester both made half-centuries but the Super Kings still fell short.
After the match, head coach Stephen Fleming spelled out the problem in fairly blunt terms. “He got his thump jammed in the ground which has done some damage,” Fleming said. “Obviously enough damage not to bat which was [not good], when you are chasing 200 you need your star players to be out there.
“So, to lose him is another factor but we’ll take into consideration what happens going forward, we are hoping it’s bruising and settles down but I don’t think I feel overly optimistic with the amount of injuries we’ve had so far. A bit of a pessimistic view on these things, so I’m hoping for the best but we may have to prepare for other means.”
Before the injury, du Plessis had managed 135 runs in five knocks at a strike-rate just over 151 – useful, if not yet match-defining. JSK said a replacement player will be named “shortly”.
The Super Kings sit third with three wins from seven outings, their 17 points keeping them in touch with leaders Pretoria Capitals and Sunrisers Eastern Cape. How they plug two sizeable batting gaps will shape their push for the play-off spots.
A squad shuffle seems inevitable; the challenge will be finding both the experience and power that du Plessis and Rossouw normally contribute without unbalancing the bowling group.
