Home side suffers a huge blow in deciding Test match.
South Africa’s chances of fighting back in the Test series decider against Australia suffered an immense blow early on day two, with Dale Steyn still hamstrung and no guarantee of bowling again in the match.
Steyn suffered a hamstring strain on Saturday in the second session and was unable to complete his 11th over.
The superstar speedster, who used reverse-swing to devastating effect in the second Test when he claimed 3-4 from 15 balls, was slated to have a fitness test on Sunday.
But instead of testing out his bandaged right leg with shuttle runs, Steyn was restricted to walking around Newlands with a noticeable limp.
The Proteas postponed the fitness test, hoping the rest would allow him to bowl in the second dig.
South Africa bowling coach Allan Donald admitted Steyn would be a huge loss, especially with the tourists piling on the runs in the first innings.
“If you lose your gun bowler, which is Dale Steyn, then the rest are going to have to step up. We’ve done that on numerous occasions,” Donald said after day one.
“It’s a little bit disappointing but there’s not a lot you can do in that situation.
“Morne Morkel was absolutely outstanding … he’s taken that responsibility on himself. You lose the leader of your group, someone else stepped up.”
The world No.1 Test side have had a terrible run with injuries this year, and are facing their first Test series loss since 2009 as Michael Clarke carried on where David Warner left off in their team’s first innings.
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