AB de Villiers' Test future appears to be up in the air once again.
Although de Villiers has completely recovered from the elbow surgery which sidelined him for the last three Test series since the end of the CPL in June, and was expected to slot straight back into the XI as soon as he became available, there are renewed questions over whether he wants to continue in the longest format.
Du Plessis, a long-time friend of de Villiers, was also asked whether the pair had spoken about de Villiers not returning to Test cricket. He claimed not to have not had that conversation but suggested de Villiers' six-month absence from the game may prompt him not to continue anyway.
De Villiers, who was named permanent Test captain last January, stepped down in early December, before the Sri Lanka series, when it became clear he would not be fit to play in it. Having already missed the New Zealand and Australia Tests - in which du Plessis was a successful stand-in skipper - and with his recovery period becoming more drawn out, de Villiers felt the team needed to move on.
During those series, Domingo was always firm in his stance that, when de Villiers was available, "someone will have to make way," and a common talking point has been the identity of that player.
With du Plessis installed as captain and JP Duminy finding form at No.4, the spotlight has been on Temba Bavuma, who has struggled in this series, but all official word, including that of the convener of selectors Linda Zondi who was speaking on public broadcaster SABC, is that Bavuma will be retained. That means it is difficult to make room for de Villiers, despite his reputation.
Whether the pressure to find a place, or the concerns over how his elbow will hold up, are playing on de Villiers' mind is not known, but this is the longest he has been out of the game since making his debut 12 years ago.