De Villiers has been constantly criticised in the past for not maintaining a specialist batsman role

Former Australia wicketkeeper Ian Healy has questioned whether South Africa are making the right choice by allowing AB de Villiers to continue donning the gloves since he has a history of back and ankle problems.

De Villiers filled the wicketkeeping position after veteran keeper Mark Boucher had his career ended prematurely when a cricket bail lacerated his eyeball during a warm up match against Somerset over the summer.

“My jury is out until we see how good he is when the pressure is on,” Healy said. “I am going to really have a good look at him and see. But I do think it’s going to take some effectiveness out of his batting.”

During the second innings of the third Test against Australia, de Villiers showcased one of the best knocks of his career, which could have featured a top 20 shots highlight reel .

De Villiers’ 169 was the first big score he has made since his outstanding 160 against the Sri Lankans at Newlands in January.

However, de Villiers’ back issues is clearly something the South African team management will want to monitor closely since the explosive batsman had to be sidelined for three weeks after the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Twenty20 to undergo treatment for it.

Meanwhile, Healy also questioned whether South Africa need such a long batting lineup if their tailenders are all capable of chipping in with decent scores as well.

“There is no need to bat at low as South Africa are batting at the moment with [Vernon] Philander being a decent hitter and Steyn down there we well,” Healy said. “How many batsmen do you want? You might as well have a specialist wicket-keeper in there who will be utterly responsible for the quality come day four and day five when you’ve got spinners operating.”

Healy is also interested to see how de Villiers will keep when spin bowling becomes a major part of a series since, as of right now, de Villiers has only donned the gloves during Test matches where the pitches are more suited for pace bowlers.

Talking about the pitch in Brisbane, which is known as the home for pace bowlers, Healy said: “He hasn’t got much spin to keep to here [in Brisbane] but if you are keeping on day four or day five with Australia in a tight situation where they need 80 to win and five wickets in hand and a tough stumping chance happens, that’s when de Villiers doesn’t want to be wicket-keeper, if he is not good enough.”

“But South African management are not saying he is not good enough at the moment so we have to wait and see. He might get lucky here in Brisbane with no spin but he just needs to be careful. His wicket-keeping might cost them something and it might blunt his batting. He doesn’t need that and neither does the team,” Healy added.

With Jean Paul (JP) Duminy being ruled out for the next six months after rupturing his Achilles tendon, South Africa may call on specialist wicketkeeper Thami Tsolekile to take his place, but the only problem for Tsolekile is Faf du Plessis, who impressed everyone throughout the two Test matches he played against Australia.

South Africa opener Alviro Petersen, who is Tsolekile’s captain when playing for the Lions believes he can be a huge asset to the team.

“Four years ago, when I gave him a call to join the Lions, he was working in the office at Western Province,” Petersen said. “The reason I called him was simple: I knew he was a fighter and I knew if he gets an opportunity he will take it, he is a wonderful team player and he is ready. South Africa has got a good wicket-keeper in him.”