'How hungry am I still to play the game?' - Faf du Plessis reflects on his cricketing future ahead of SA20 2025

The 2025 edition of the SA20 is all set to commence on January 9, 2025. The excitement for the third edition of this franchise competition has been through the roof ever since the squads and the schedule for the tournament was released.

The month-long spectacle is set to be one filled with action-packed cricket and entertainment for the cricket fraternity. Skipper of Joburg Super Kings and former South African Skipper, Faf du Plessis, spoke on how the dynamics have shifted with the franchises opting for a mix of recruiting seasoned players while integrating the vigour of the youth at the same time. Furthermore, he also shed light on how blending and learning from the best of the best from around the globe was an experience which would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for budding cricketers to understand the nuances of the game.

"If you look at the IPLs and T20 competitions around the world, I found there was a phase initially when people went to the youth and the young guys and that exuberance, but then there was almost a switch back to the experience when people started looking at what are the things that work in T20 competitions. And now, I certainly look around all the competitions, and you see a lot of experience being recruited. But with that, it's important to have that youth," stated du Plessis, in a press conference ahead of the commencement of the tournament.

"That's why it's really important to have a rule like we have—a rookie in every squad—because I do think that is absolute gold for any young player stepping out of school. So that's great, but the fact that it's great that you're mixing young guys coming straight out of school with guys double their age, but they get to rub shoulders with guys who play a lot of cricket around the world, and I think that's something that you cannot buy—that's such great learning for them. So, the competition breeds that," du Plessis continued.

Also Read: SA20 2025: AB de Villiers points out learnings SA20 can adopt from IPL

The 40-year-old ex-Proteas stalwart also shared some insights on the driving force gearing him towards approaching the game with as much determination as he would in the past. The former South Africa Captain also cited the case of his former teammate, Imran Tahir. He pointed out that Tahir was still as crazy for the game as he was during his days representing the nation.

"But for me, at my age, I still feel exactly the same. How long I can go for, I can't give you the answer. I thought I'd be done by now, and for me, it's just a case of being true to myself and where I am in my career. How hungry am I still to play the game? And right now, I'm still extremely hungry to do what I've been doing for the last few years. Body is still feeling really good, mind is fresh, so who knows," he further stated. 

"Imran Tahir is also setting the standard there for the Gandalf of the tournament, I think. With this format now, yes, you can push yourself certainly a lot more. You know, sport has changed for the better, so you see sportsmen all around the world doing this for longer than they've ever been doing it. This is a great competition, so I would like to play this for as long as possible," du Plessis concluded.

Tahir on verge of becoming oldest cricketer in SA20 2025 season

Ace leg spinner Imran Tahir, who is aged 45, is all set to become the oldest player to feature in the upcoming SA20 2025 edition. While on the other hand, Faf du Plessis, at 40, is the second-eldest of the lot. The tournament opener will be played between Sunrisers Eastern Cape and MI Cape Town at St. George's Park in Gqeberha.