South Africa Proteas

The Proteas in a huddle. Photo: Christiaan Kotze/BackpagePix

JUST IN: Proteas suffer significant injury blow!

The Proteas have suffered another injury blow on the eve of the highly-anticipated Test series against England.

South Africa Proteas

The Proteas in a huddle. Photo: Christiaan Kotze/BackpagePix

The Proteas suffered a heavy defeat in a four-day warm-up against the England Lions in Canterbury last week, which formed part of the preparation for the highly-anticipated start of the Test series this coming week.

It’s now been confirmed that fast bowler Duanne Olivier has been ruled out of all three Tests due to a grade 2 right hip flexor muscle tear. Olivier sustained the injury during the tour match in Canterbury. 

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Proteas team doctor, Dr Hashendra Ramjee explained: “Duanne presented with significant discomfort involving his right hip flexor muscle at the close of play on day three of the four-day tour match. After clinical assessment, he was referred for an MRI scan which revealed a grade 2 tear involving the right pectineus muscle.  

“Due to the extent of the injury, he has been ruled out of the three-match Test series against England and will return home where he will commence his rehabilitation with the Gauteng Central Lions medical team.” 

Notably, no replacement has been named. 

Earlier this month, it was also confirmed that Proteas paceman Kagiso Rabada had been ruled out of the T20 series against Ireland following a review of his left medial ankle injury by the Proteas medical team.

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He will continue medical management and rehabilitation and his progress will be closely monitored in preparation for the upcoming three-match Test series, which starts on 17 August.

“For now, he’s doing all the right things, but I can’t say yes or no to him being ready,” Test captain Dean Elgar said on Monday.

“There are still nine days left before the Test. He’s high on our list in being fit and providing us with even more resources for the match.

“It’s one of our top priorities. He has bowled since we’ve started our camp in Canterbury. With regards to his workload, I think that’s probably going to be our biggest concern.

“We need to determine whether he’d be able to carry himself through a Test match at a specific intensity and volume of overs.”

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Proteas Test squad against England 

Dean Elgar (captain, Momentum Multiply Titans), Sarel Erwee (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Marco Jansen (Gbets Warriors), Simon Harmer (Momentum Multiply Titans), Keshav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Aiden Markram (Momentum Multiply Titans), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Anrich Nortje (Gbets Warriors), Keegan Petersen (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Kagiso Rabada (Imperial Lions), Ryan Rickelton (Imperial Lions), Lutho Sipamla (Imperial Lions), Rassie van der Dussen (Imperial Lions), Kyle Verreynne (wicketkeeper, Six Gun Grill Western Province), Khaya Zondo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Glenton Stuurman (Gbets Warriors)  

South Africa Test Tour to England Itinerary 

Tests 

17 – 21 August   

England vs South Africa – Lord’s Cricket Ground, London   

25 – 29 August   

England vs South Africa – Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester   

08 – 12 September  

England vs South Africa – Kia Oval, London