JOHANNESBURG - While the spirit will – as he proclaimed by himself yesterday following the Proteas’ arrival back from a fruitless World T20 campaign – remain willing for a very long period, the flesh is so weak at the moment that the limited overs skipper won’t partake in the Champions League T20, which starts next week.
 
“I’ve been struggling with a sore lower back for quite a while now and over the last month it’s gotten worse and my left ankle, where I’ve had surgery previously. I’ll see specialists and then we’ll need to make a call,” said De Villiers.
 
The prognosis from team doctor Mohammed Moosajee was less than rosy in the short-term.
 
“We’ve had some MRI scans done. The injuries need attention and he won’t be available to play.”
 
In fact, Moosajee afterwards admitted that had the Proteas not been engaged in a tournament of the World T20’s magnitude, their captain would’ve been sent home already.
 
“It doesn’t really matter which injury is more severe. On their own, both would’ve kept him out of action in the Champions League,” he said.
 
“The rehabilitation window is three to four weeks, which means he should be ready for the tour of Australia.”
 
Nonetheless, the sunny jack-of-all-trades scoffed at suggestions that he’s got too much on his plate.
 
“Looking back at the results, it’s easy to say that but I honestly didn’t think that I at any time struggled to cope with the extra pressure. I know it’s a lot of responsibility but I really enjoy it.”
 
Importantly though, De Villiers remarked that his self-assuredness wouldn’t mitigate what were some harsh lessons in Sri Lanka, particularly tactically.
 
“I’ve learnt a lot. I’m a guy that doesn’t want to change as a person when I’m leading. I’ve gotten to know my players. I think want to identify the right persons for a job at a specific juncture in a game,” he said.  “I’m still not where I want to be but I feel I’m improving.”
 
That’s about right.
 
By extension, De Villiers unwittingly touched on South Africa’s greatest failing in Sri Lanka – poor form.
 
“Some guys like Robin Peterson proved to be a go-to guy but others in certain situations didn’t come through. Even myself experienced some up-and-downs. It’s all about getting the right guys in the relevant situation.”
 
Coach Gary Kirsten was similarly frank.
 
“It was a highly pressurised tournament but we were fully aware of that. The legacy that sits with us over these events continues to sit there,” he said.
 
“It’s a dark mist that sits over this team and it will be our responsibility to at some point overcome it.”
 
Moosajee confirmed that there were no other injury concerns with Kirsten adding that an effort has been made to compile a customised conditioning programme for most of the players.
 
Bowling spearhead Dale Steyn, for example, will be rested while others like Vernon Philander and Hashim Amla will play in the Sunfoil Series.