Dippenaar and Zondeki miss tour match

Boeta Dippenaar's strong start to the season has been hit by injury © Touchline

Boeta Dippenaar and Monde Zondeki have been withdrawn from the South Africa Invitational XI to play New Zealand in their opening tour match at Bloemfontein on Thursday after picking up injuries in the last round of SuperSport matches.

Dolphins allrounder Jon Kent takes Dippenaar's place while Morne van Wyk takes over the captaincy role. Ethy Mbhalati, the Titans quick bowler, who was originally 12th man comes into the starting XI in place of Zondeki and Dillon du Preez, the leading wicket-taker after two SuperSport matches, carries the drinks.

"Boeta got a nasty blow on the thumb while batting for the Eagles against the Lions," said coach Corrie van Zyl. "It is still badly bruised and he is hardly able to pick up a bat at the moment. Fortunately there is no long-term damage and he should be available for selection for South Africa A against New Zealand next week."

The injuries have come at bad times for both players as they press for international recalls. Dippenaar is the leading runs scorer in the SuperSport Series to date with centuries in both matches. Zondeki has also shown a resurgence of form this season with 12 wickets at an average of 16.91 for the Cape Cobras.

SA Invitation XI Morne van Wyk (capt), Imraan Khan, Zander de Bruyn, Ahmed Amla, Jon Kent, Davy Jacobs, Thami Tsolekile, Thandi Tshabalala, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Yusuf Abdullah, Ethy Mbhalati. 12th man: Dillon du Preez.