The Proteas have been boosted by the return to fitness of pace duo Vernon Philander and Lungi Ngidi for their Test series in India next month.
The pair have been involved in the recent South Africa “A” matches in the host nation in order to acclimatise and get some time in the legs.
Philander has been out of action since before the World Cup, while Ngidi struggled with injury at the tournament.
SA “A” coach Malibongwe Maketa says even though results did not go in their favour after India won the two-match four-day series 1-0, the Protea stars in the squad have put in the work.
He says: “Vernon got through a lot of overs coming in, Lungi as well had some productive work in the two Tests.
“For them both and all of those going into the main series, they can feel very encouraged.
“There were a lot of positives for those that are to remain in India. That was exactly the plan going into the Test series for the Proteas coming up.”
UP FOR THE CHALLENGE: Aiden Markram. Picture: Jason Cairnduff/Reuters.
Apart from those mentioned by Maketa, there was also game-time for others in the Test squad like Aiden Markram, Zubayr Hamza, Theunis de Bruyn, Heinrich Klaasen and Senuran Muthusamy.
Markram scored 165 runs in his three outings, including a 161 in the final game.
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/Heini22?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Heini22 during the #ProteaFire Test squad’s first training session in Visag. 🔥🇿🇦🏏 pic.twitter.com/2XLZlWscry
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA)
Meanwhile, Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the Test series against South Africa after suffering a stress fracture in his back and will be replaced by Umesh Yadav.
Vishakhapatnam will host the first test between India and South Africa from October 2 followed by matches at Pune and Ranchi.