Steyn, Philander fit to bowl

Allan Donald was gearing up for a return to the Test stage, albeit only as a substitute fielder, after South Africa were forced to field four replacements on the third day at SuperSport Park.

South Africa were already without Quinton de Kock and Faf du Plessis, who were benched because of an ankle sprain and abdominal concern, and later had to watch as both their opening bowlers, Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander, left the field early in West Indies' second innings, with muscle tightness.

Having already made use of the two extra members of their squad, Robin Peterson and Temba Bavuma, South Africa called on other additions in amateur players Sean Phillips and Danie Rossouw. Donald, meanwhile, changed into whites and was ready to come on but did not get the chance.

"If he had to get there, we wouldn't have been able to get the ball out of his hand," Mohammad Moosajee, South Africa's team manager, who is also a medical doctor, joked.

Moosajee confirmed both Steyn and Philander will bowl on the fourth day following groin and hamstring tightness respectively. "The outfield has been quite heavy so it was just about taking them off, ice baths, getting them on the physio's bench," Moosajee said.

Steyn took himself off after five balls in West Indies second innings, after bowing 14 overs in the first. He returned late in the day, but did not bowl again. Philander bowled 15 overs in the first innings and three in the second. He did not return to the field after leaving, but was available at the end of day press conference and appeared in no discomfort.

Moosajee said bowling loads was not a concern, rather it was the switch to the longer format which took its tool. "It's very individualised. It's about body being conditioned to bowling those kind of overs. The intensity of bowling a side also affects you," Moosajee said. "The reality is we haven't played Test cricket for about five months."

More pressing, is the health of du Plessis who was not at the ground at all. He stayed at the team hotel with abdominal cramps and will need to undergo further tests before the cause of his illness can be determined. "We took him to hospital to rule out things like appendicitis but some test results were inconclusive. We might have to run more tests. He has been resting and is on medication," Moosajee said.

Similarly, the extent of de Kock's ankle niggle will only be known later. After turning his ankle in the warm-ups, de Kock was monitored throughout the day before being taken for an MRI scan. The results will be obtained overnight.

Although Moosajee did not want to pre-empt the results, he said if de Kock suffered a grade 1 sprain, he would take five to seven days to recover. That would rule him out of the second Test and force AB de Villiers to keep wickets. It could also mean that South Africa will need an extra batsman, with Bavuma the only reserve batsman in the squad.

West Indies have better news as far as their only wounded squad member is concerned. Kemar Roach is "feeling better," according to Philip Spooner, the media manager. Roach did not bat on the third day, but management is hopeful he will be fit to bowl in the rest of the series.