Faf du Plessis

 Field Marshal Johannes Christiaan "Jannie" van der Bijl du Plessis, better known as Faf du Plessis, is a former South African international cricketer. Born on July 13, 1984, in Pretoria, South Africa, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest cricketers to have played for the South African national team. He is a right-handed middle-order batsman and a part-time leg-spin bowler.

Du Plessis began his cricketing journey at an early age and made his first-class debut for Northerns in 2004. He was soon picked up by the Titans, a South African domestic team, and played for them for several years. In 2011, he was selected for the South African national team, and he made his debut against India in a T20 international.

Du Plessis quickly established himself as a key player for South Africa, particularly in limited-overs cricket. He is known for his versatility and can play a wide range of shots, making him difficult to bowl to. He is also an excellent fielder, known for his acrobatic catches and quick reflexes.

Du Plessis' biggest moment in cricket came in 2013 when he led South Africa to a historic Test series win over Australia. He scored 376 runs in the series, including a marathon innings of 110 not out in the second Test in Adelaide. The innings lasted for over seven hours and helped South Africa secure a draw in the match. His performance earned him the Man of the Match award, and he was also named the Man of the Series.

Du Plessis continued to excel for South Africa over the years and played a crucial role in many of the team's victories. In 2016, he was appointed the captain of the South African T20 team and led the team to a series win against England. He was also appointed the captain of the Test team in 2016, and under his leadership, South Africa won seven out of their nine Test matches.

However, du Plessis' career has not been without controversy. In 2016, he was found guilty of ball-tampering during a Test match against Australia. He was fined his entire match fee and was also handed three demerit points. In 2018, he was again accused of ball-tampering during a Test match against Australia, but he was cleared of any wrongdoing after a hearing.

Du Plessis retired from international cricket in February 2021, bringing an end to a remarkable career that spanned over a decade. He finished his career with 10,646 runs in international cricket, including 24 centuries and 53 half-centuries. He also took 47 wickets with his leg-spin bowling.

In conclusion, Faf du Plessis is one of the greatest cricketers to have played for the South African national team. He is known for his versatility as a batsman, excellent fielding skills, and leadership abilities. Despite a few controversies, he has had a remarkable career that will be remembered for years to come.