Faf du Plessis has stressed that Kagiso Rabada should not allow the ban to affect his fierce nature.

The 22-year-old speedster was dealt a harsh blow when he received a fourth demerit point for swearing after taking the scalp of Ben Stokes in the first Test.

This followed an on-field altercation with Niroshan Dickwella in the Cape Town ODI against Sri Lanka which resulted in three demerits and subsequently has ruled him out of the second Test causing a selection issue for the Proteas.

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Du Plessis defended Rabada and said that he doesn’t want the young speedster to lose his fiery spirit.

‘I’d never say to KG, “Change the way you are”,’ Du Plessis told reporters on Monday.

‘It’s important that he plays the way he wants to play the game. I think every guy within cricket has their needs natural instinct and personality. What you need to do is to come out and create the best you,[And] for not one second, must he lose that.’

The Proteas skipper hopes that the disruption does not affect Rabada’s fiery spirit for the third Test at The Oval.

‘So I will never expect him to apologise to the team. For me, he is showing what he is made of and wants to do desperately well for his country,’ said Du Plessis.

‘Obviously, it’s a big disappoint not having him [at Trent Bridge].

‘It’s a shame, because he is a big part of this team and in a big Test series like this, you want to see your best players compete against each other.’

Du Plessis also hinted at the possible dropping of JP Duminy for the Test which kicks off at Trent Bridge on Friday.

ALSO READ: Faf hints at Duminy replacement

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