After playing six matches for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, including scoring an unbeaten 67 in the first qualifier, du Plessis took time off. He holidayed with his family in Bali, returned home to celebrate his daughter Amelie's first birthday, and to watch Cape Town receive the rainfall that should break the city's worst drought in history. "Surely the dams are full now?" du Plessis asked at his departure presser. Not quite yet, but they're about halfway there.
The opening batsman spent time at Surrey, where he played three first-class and four List-A matches but despite three half-centuries in three white-ball games, Elgar was still overlooked for South Africa's one-day squad. He enjoyed his time at The Oval so much that he is returning to play the final five matches of the County Championship for them after the Sri Lanka tour.
Elgar's opening partner was also in England, but played only three matches for Durham and scored 94 in his second outing.
A huge success on the county circuit, Amla turned out for Hampshire and reeled off four half-centuries and two hundreds in 12 innings across red- and white-ball cricket but had to cut his stint short when he picked up a knee injury early in June. Since then, Amla has launched a luxury property development in his home province of Kwazulu Natal.
Although he did not play any cricket, Bavuma was the only Test batsman to attend the spin camp in India in May. He was also named captain of his franchise, Highveld Lions, and will likely be given a proper chance at a long-run in the Test side following AB de Villeirs' retirement. Off the field, Bavuma was a flagbearer during the match between the South African rugby team, the Springboks, and England during Siya Kolisi's first match as captain. Kolisi is the first black African to captain the Springboks.
A reasonably quiet IPL for the Royal Challengers Bangalore saw de Kock cross 50 just once. He returned home to do some fishing and has also signed for Nottinghamshire for the last four Championshop games.
De Bruyn gave up Knight's captaincy to move to Titans for the 2018-19 season and got married in May. De Kock was among the guests at his wedding. He played two matches for Surrey in the lead-up to the Sri Lanka tour, but only managed a highest-score of 38.
An unexpected beneficiary of the Newlands' ball-tampering scandal, Klaasen signed with Rajasthan Royals in David Warner's absence for the IPL but only played four matches.
A quiet off-season for Maharaj, who holidayed in Thailand and attended the spinners' camp in Mumbai. There was no cricket for Maharaj in the break.
One of the biggest success stories of this year's IPL, Ngidi played seven matches for Chennai Super Kings and turned in stellar performances despite tragic personal circumstances. Ngidi's father died during the tournament and the manner in which he has conducted himself since has been nothing short of admirable. On his return home, Ngidi joined a campaign called Run for the Oceans, a sponsored event to raise awareness for environmental concerns.
After meeting all the demands coach Ottis Gibson asked of him during the season, Philander used the time for rest. He visited nature reserves, played golf and did some intense training with Steyn as he prepared for the new season.
A first serious injury - a stress fracture of the back - forced Rabada out of the IPL and into a program of rehabilitation. He signed a sponsorship deal with luxury watch brand Tag Heuer and, like Ngidi, joined the Run for the Oceans movement. Oh, and he swept the CSA awards, winning six of the eight main prizes on offer, the most by any player in the history of the event.
A successful off-season for Tabraiz Shamsi saw him named domestic one-day and twenty-over Player of the Season at CSA's awards and named in all three squads to tour Sri Lanka. Shamsi attended the spin camp in Mumbai and got married over the winter.
A few weeks in Bali, followed by five matches for Hampshire, without breaking down means Steyn is back and ready to play international cricket again. Read more about Steyn's journey back to full fitness here.
What would have been just a regular off-season turned into a dream come true when, in early June, von Berg received a call-up to the national team. At 31, and sometimes not even guaranteed a place in his franchise side, the selection came as a surprise to the legspinner but, having bided his time, and again attended the spin camp in Mumbai, it's time for von Berg to show what he can do at the highest level.