Faf du Plessis is still recovering from a back injury he sustained in October

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

South Africa captain Faf du Plessis could be sidelined when his side take on Zimbabwe in the first-ever four-day Test on Boxing Day.

Du Plessis is still recovering from a back injury he sustained during the third ODI against Bangladesh in October.

Du Plessis was advised to rest for six weeks, but at the same time, he underwent surgery to correct a problem in his shoulder.

Since the 33-year-old played no part in the recently concluded Ram Slam T20 Challenge and was not named in the CSA Invitation XI squad that will take on Zimbabwe on Wednesday, Cricket South Africa are likely to take a cautious approach, especially since India will visit the country for a full series at the beginning of January.