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Cape Town - The Proteas will be without fast bowler Kagiso Rabada for the second Test against England at Trent Bridge.
Rabada, 22, received a one-match ban for his latest offence under the International Cricket Council's code of conduct as a result of swearing at all-rounder Ben Stokes following his dismissal in the first innings at Lord's.
Rabada was already on thin ice after an on-field physical clash with Sri Lanka's Niroshan Dickwella during a ODI in Cape Town in February.
That incident saw both players fined and have three demerit points added to their disciplinary records.
Some have deemed Rabada's ICC ban as harsh, while others questioned the South Africans behaviour and whether it was appropriate.
However, Proteas skipper Faf du Plessis has gone to Rabada's defence saying that he doesn't want him to lose his fiery spirit.
"I'd never say to KG, 'Change the way you are'," Du Plessis told reporters on Monday.
"It's important that he plays the way he wants to play the game. I think every guy within cricket has their needs natural instinct and personality. What you need to do is to come out and create the best you... (And) for not one second, must he lose that."
Du Plessis also hopes the fast bowler can continue his fierce performance in the third Test at The Oval.
"So I will never expect him to apologise to the team. For me, he is showing what he is made of and wants to do desperately well for his country," said Du Plessis.
"Obviously, it's a big disappoint not having him (in Trent Bridge).
"It's a shame, because he is a big part of this team and in a big Test series like this, you want to see your best players compete against each other."
The second Test gets underway at Trent Bridge on Friday (12:00 SA time).
