AB de Villiers stands down as South Africa test captain

South Africa's AB de Villiers plays a shot during their first cricket test match against England in Durban, South Africa, December 27, 2015. REUTERS/Rogan Ward/Files

CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - AB de Villiers has resigned as South African test captain, opening the way for Faf du Plessis to take over the role on a permanent basis, Cricket South Africa said on Monday.

De Villiers, 32, has been struggling with an elbow injury for six months and has been ruled out of the three-match home test series against Sri Lanka starting on Boxing Day.

(Reporting by Nick Said, editing by Ed Osmond)