20 batsmen whose Test average never dipped below 40: Part 1

(15) Faf du Plessis (South Africa): 2012-Present

Faf du Plessis walks off after his marathon 110* at Adelaide (2012)

Matches: 54, Runs: 3302, Average: 42.33, Highest: 137, 100/50: 8/17.

Lowest Career Average: 40.60 (30th Test)

South Africa has produced some fantastic batsmen over the years, so it is a bit surprising that Du Plessis is the only batsman from the rainbow nation on this list.

While Du Plessis may not be one of South Africa's greatest batsman, he is one of the most important cricketers in South Africa's history. As a youngster, Faf considered going the Kolpak route but eventually decided against it. It proved to be a correct move in the long run.

Du Plessis made his test debut against Australia at Adelaide in 2012. He played one of the greatest debut innings of all time, scoring 110* as South Africa batted out 148 overs for a draw. South Africa would win the next test and the series, thus retaining their No.1 ranking.

Du Plessis scored 293 runs at an average of 146.50 in the series. He would build upon this and completed 1000 test runs in 15 tests. Du Plessis would earn himself the moniker of the Blockathon man for his ability to bat long periods in the 4th innings of a test match.

Faf's average had never been below 50 in his first 22 test matches. A horror tour to India in 2015 and a similar series against England at home meant that Du Plessis was dropped from the side in early 2016.

He made a sensational comeback as captain of the team in August 2016. His lowest average of 40.60 came after his first test as captain, but Du Plessis made a hundred in his next test, protecting his average and leading his side to a series victory over the formidable Kiwis. Their first series victory in over a year.

Du Plessis has taken over South Africa's reign with their Golden generation in decline, and the enforcement of transformation targets in the national team. He has juggled with all the responsibilities and led the team to series victories in Australia and New Zealand.

Du Plessis also became the first South African captain to win a series against Australia at home post-re-admission.

Du Plessis has played 54 tests in his career, scoring 3302 runs at an average of 42.33. He has scored 8 hundreds in his career, 4 of them as captain. Faf averages a respectable 43.78 as captain but has surprisingly never crossed 150 in his test career.

His highest score is 137, which he scored against New Zealand in his 4th test match. It looks highly improbable that Faf's average will down below 40, making him the most consistent batsman in South Africa's history.