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Cape Town - Protea national selection convenor, Linda Zondi stressed the importance of finding a suitable and long-term vice-captain for the Test squad.
However, the Proteas are facing the probability of not having their newly appointed skipper Faf Du Plessis in the first Test against Sri Lanka due to the 'Mintgate'.
The Protea Test skipper was seen on camera rubbing his finger on a mint on his mouth and then shining the ball during the second Test against Australia in Hobart last month.
He was later charged, found guilty and fined 100% of his match fee for the second Test, which he later appealed.
Du Plessis told the media at Newlands on Wednesday that he has no intention of backing out of his appeal.
The hearing will be held on Monday, December 19 and chaired by Michael Beloff QC in Dubai, with Du Plessis joining in via telephone.
Du Plessis was handed over the Test captaincy from AB de Villiers on Monday, and with Du Plessis' fate still hanging in the balance for the first Test - the vice-captaincy role is vital for the upcoming first Test.
"At the moment there needs to be greater discussion around the appointment of a vice-captain as that needs to be a long term position. The board has decided to look into it in January," Zondi told Independent Media.
"We do have a plan should Faf not be available. It will purely be a once-off situation, with a stand-in just for the one Test," said Zondi.
The vice-captaincy duties might fall to either former Protea skipper Hashim Amla or senior all-rounder JP Duminy.
The first Test between the Proteas and Sri Lanka will take place in Port Elizabeth on Boxing Day.
