Proteas hit by another injury as Simelane called as replacement

South Africa's fast bowler Lutho Sipamla has been ruled out of the ongoing T20I tri-series with Namibia and Zimbabwe due to a left hamstring injury, according to Cricket South Africa. Seam-bowling all-rounder Andile Simelane, who has played 10 T20Is for South Africa, has been named as Sipamla's replacement for the remainder of the tour.

Sipamla, 28, suffered the injury during South Africa's opening match against Namibia, where he bowled just nine deliveries before being forced off the field in pain. Sipamla subsequently missed the second fixture against Zimbabwe while medical staff assessed the severity of his muscle strain. This adds to South Africa's growing fitness concerns as they prepare for a challenging international schedule.

Premier fast bowler Kagiso Rabada is also out of the Tests and ODIs against Australia, recovering from a right hamstring issue. South Africa has two more round-robin matches in the tri-series, with a potential third fixture if they qualify for the final. The T20I series will be followed by an ODI series against Namibia, with South Africa hosting Australia for white-ball and red-ball matches, and then a home tour featuring Tests and ODIs before the SA20 league.