The injury to Gerald Coetzee has presented the Proteas management a bit of a selection headache heading into the second Test starting on Thursday in Gqeberha.
The first Test in Durban last week ended with the Proteas running out convincing victors by 233 runs, mostly due to a rip-roaring spell by Marco Jansen in their first innings as he returned figures of 7/13 as the tourists were bundled out for 42.
Coetzee was only required to bowl three overs in the first innings (2/18), but in the second dig he sent down 13 overs (2/67) before picking up a groin injury.
Allrounder Wiaan Mulder, meanwhile, was struck on the hand during South Africa’s first innings as he sustained a fractured finger.
Maphaka gets the call
Both players have as a result been ruled out of the second Test, and teenager Kwena Maphaka has been called up to the squad as cover.
The 18-year-old has already played three T20 Internationals for his country, but had not been in the picture for Test selection before the injuries to Coetzee and Mulder.
In fact, Maphaka - who has already played in the Indian Premier League (IPL) - has just three first-class games to his name for the Lions.
Although he would provide another dimension to the Proteas attack as a left-arm quick, it would be a huge shock to see him take a place in the XI ahead of Dane Paterson who was already in the squad.
At 35-years-old, Paterson may not have a long future ahead for the Proteas - but he’s the more reliable option for South Africa as they chase a place in the World Test Championship final.
With spinner Keshav Maharaj the only other bowler in the squad, there’s the chance of both Maphaka and Paterson playing. But that’s a slim chance, as the Proteas would likely want to add cover in the allrounder department instead.
That could mean that slow left-armer Senuran Muthusamy could be in line for his second Test this year, and fifth of his career.
The 30-year-old made his Test debut for the Proteas in 2019 and after two matches away against India, did not play again in the longest format for South Africa until 2023 against the West Indies in Centurion.
The most likely scenario then, is that Maphaka will be carrying the drinks this weekend - but he’s clearly on the Proteas Test radar for the future.