The Proteas are sweating on the fitness of vice captain Temba Bavuma ahead of their first Test against the West Indies in the Caribbean.
With the first ball of the first five-dayer being bowled at 4pm at the Daren Sammy Cricket ground today, the Proteas could take the field with two rookies in their top five.
Uncapped Keegan Petersen is already set to come in for the retired Faf du Plessis at the top of the order, while Western Province’s Kyle Verreynne will make his first appearance for the Proteas in Test cricket if Bavuma, who is battling a left hip injury, is ruled out.
Captain Dean Elgar says of his deputy still trying to prove his fitness: “It’s a bit of a concerns for us, yesterday was quite a big day for him to push his body.
“[There] is still [time to] prove his fitness – it was a bit of a concern a couple of days ago.
“I’m not a doctor or physio. They have to do their respective jobs with regards to proving Temba’s fitness.”
Of Verreynne coming in at No.5 if Bavuma is not fit, Elgar says: “Kyle would definitely be in that position - I think it best suits him. He obviously fills that position playing for his domestic side… We’re obviously banking on Temba to be fit.”
He adds: “There’s a possibility that we’ll have two guys making their debut if Temba’s not fit…
“Kyle has been sitting on the side for quite some time in Proteas clothing, so I’m pretty sure he’s chomping at the bit to have his opportunity.”