With South Africa's thumping 333-run victory over Bangladesh in the first test in Potchefstroom yesterday having come inside two hours of the fifth day, Proteas captain Faf du Plessis was not going to avoid the question about four-day cricket.

The Proteas have scheduled a four-day Boxing Day test against Zimbabwe in Port Elizabeth and this move has sparked worldwide discussions over whether this format will ultimately replace the traditional five-day game.

Cricket SA (CSA) is hopeful that the International Cricket Council (ICC) will give the match against Zimbabwe official test status.

Speaking after what he called "an all-round spotless performance" where they bowled Bangladesh out for less than 100 runs in the second innings, Du Plessis said the question is a tricky one but he remains a fan of five-day cricket.

"I believe that some of the great test matches have gone to the last over on day five and that is so special about five-day cricket," he said. "Four-day or first-class cricket does feel a little bit easier while for five days you have to craft, bowlers have to bowl a lot more and batters have to construct much bigger innings.

"Once again this was proved in this match [against Bangladesh] and I am a fan of that."

Du Plessis was supported by Proteas opener Dean Elgar.

"I am a five-day test specialist and it must stay that way. I don't think we should tinker with something that is not broken because if you go and play around the world in places like Australia, England and here in South Africa against the relatively big nations, test cricket is followed and you still get good crowds," he said.