Injured Peterson out of WI Test series

Robin Peterson, the left-arm spinner, has been ruled out of Test series against West Indies after cutting his left forefinger during fielding practice. Peterson has had three stitches and will need two weeks to recover. Legspinner Imran Tahir, who had been dropped for this series, has been recalled.

Peterson had been the only spinner in the squad and indications had been that South Africa would not be going with an all-pace attack in Port Elizabeth.

"A frontline spinner is very important for this ground," du Plessis said. "We feel for Robbie. He has waited a period of time to make his return to the Test side. Conditions didn't suit in Centurion but here, they are more likely to, so we feel for him that he may be out."

Tahir took six wickets in a first-class match for Dolphins last weekend and has been given another Test lifeline. His closest competition, Dane Piedt, who claimed an eight-for on Test debut in Harare, has been out of top-level action since September. He has been playing club cricket though and last Tuesday tweeted, "2nd game back. Was so good. No pain and discomfort. The comeback is around the corner."

Peterson's injury brings the number of walking wounded in the South African camp to three . JP Duminy was all but ruled out of the series with a knee problem and Quinton de Kock rolled his ankle during the first Test. Duminy was targeting the Port Elizabeth Test for a comeback, but that appears to have been delayed until the limited-overs matches begin, while de Kock will be out for at least six weeks.

The spate of injuries may seem bearable with West Indies being their only assignment this summer, but du Plessis explained they know they need a fully-fit outfit by early next year.

"You go through cycles of not having any injuries and then all of a sudden you have a few. We've been very unfortunate in the last while, he said. "We've got quite an important tournament coming up - the World Cup - so we hope that's it for injuries for now."