Full-strength SA likely for WC prep

South Africa are expected to name a full strength ODI squad for the tours to New Zealand and Australia in preparation of next year's World Cup. All their previously injured and rested players should be available for the trip, which begins with three ODIs in New Zealand from October 21, and is followed by five ODIs and three T20s in Australia.

A slew of South African players were battling with wear and tear after their winter trips to Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. The two chief concerns were Morne Morkel and JP Duminy, who picked up shoulder and knee niggles, and were in danger of sitting out of the triangular series final against Australia. Both passed fitness tests and played in the match, which South Africa won, but were ruled out of the CLT20 in order to have sufficient recovery time.

Also made to sit out of the CLT20 was Dale Steyn, who could have represented the Cobras. CSA's medical team asked for Steyn to sit out the tournament to manage his workload, even though Cobras' bowling stocks were already depleted by a stress fracture which will rule Beuran Hendricks out of action until at least December.

Cobras, however, were buoyed by Vernon Philander's return to full fitness after a hamstring injury which forced him to sit out the triangular series. Philander was rested from the three ODIs against Zimbabwe which preceded the tri-series but now that he has recovered, he could be part of South Africa's touring party.

That may mean no room for Kyle Abbott, who played four matches in Zimbabwe, unless Wayne Parnell's shoulder injury is more serious than initially thought. Parnell hurt himself while playing for the Warriors in the season's first four-day fixture, but the franchise's coach, Piet Botha, expected him to need just 10 days to recover.

South Africa's selectors will also have to consider whether to give Lonwabo Tsotsobe, who is match-fit after ankle surgery, another opportunity in a bowler-heavy line-up. Ryan McLaren, who suffered a broken arm courtesy Mitchell Johnson in the triangular, should also be fit to travel.

In the spin department, Imran Tahir should make the trip after a short stint with Hampshire, and Aaron Phangiso will provide him competition. No changes are anticipated in the batting line-up with all the regulars fit and most of them getting game time in recent weeks.

Quinton de Kock and Rilee Rossouw have played in the first-class competition and Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis and David Miller are at the CLT20. AB de Villiers is the only batsman who has had a complete break. None of the teams de Villiers plays for qualified for the CLT20, and he was not involved in the start of the domestic season, which has allowed him time off ahead of a busy summer.