Injuries have become a concern for the visitors as they prepare for the much awaited India vs South Africa series, beginning in five days.
All-rounder David Wiese has been ruled out for at least six weeks, meaning that he cannot be a part of the either of the limited over series against India. Albie Morkel will replace Wiese for the T20 series against India.
Wiese hurt his hand while taking a catch in a practice match. Now, he has to go under the knives and the doctors have mentioned at least five-six weeks as the recovery time.
Rilee Rossouw too has been ruled of the ODI series against India. He anyway would not have been playing the T20 series as he is still recovering from a stress fracture in one of his feet that he suffered during the New Zealand series. Cricket South Africa medical staff have confirmed that they do not want to rush into any decision now.
Rossouw will be replaced by uncapped batsman Khaya Zondo, who has plenty of domestic T20 experience and is known as a hard-hitter.
"The medical committee has decided it's still too early for him to be pushed at this stage. The plan is to get him to be ready by the end of October," South African team manager Mohammed Moosajee told reporters.
South African T20 skipper Faf du Plessis has expressed his concerns over Wiese and also stated that they will miss the services of Wiese in the limited over series against India. At the same time, he also spoke well about Morkel, whom he feels deserves a chance in this upcoming tour which starts on 2 October.
"David is a fantastic player for us in the T20 format. He has done really well. His bowling is going to be missed the most. He has been a banker from a captain's point of view. You know what you are going to get from him. He is pretty clever in the middle, he is a very smart bowler.
"Albie brings a lot of experience. I suppose Albie would have thought his time is up, once again, but he is getting another opportunity because he is a quality player. For him, its important to try and also put a stake, even if he wasn't in our thinking and our plans, he is getting an opportunity to make it so," Du Plessis told reporters on Saturday.
