JOHANNESBURG - Heinrich Klaasen looks on the verge of making his Test debut this weekend, as the news on Quinton de Kock's index finger injury is not too promising.
The middle-order star and keeper sustained the injury during the second Test victory in Wellington, and team doctor Mohammed Moosajee explained that De Kock would need sufficient recovery time.
"At the time (of the injury) we had an x-ray done to exclude a fracture, and thankfully that was clear," Moosajee explained.
Since then, De Kock has still felt discomfort, which compelled the management to conduct another scan. That revealed damage to the tendon, and Moosajee explained that only time can heal such damage.
"Being a wicketkeeper, every time he catches the ball, there is strain on the finger, and it makes it difficult to allow sufficient time to recover."
Moosajee cast an eye on the immediate future, explaining that De Kock is almost certainly out of the Indian Premier League this year, as he needs 4-6 weeks to recover.
"If he doesn't have the 4-6 weeks recovery time, further activity could aggravate the injury and even put in jeopardy his participation in the Champions Trophy, and the full tour of England," Moosajee warned.
It is a hammer blow for South Africa, but they will say rather now than in June. De Kock, back in form with the bat, and in stupendous mood with the gloves, will be a big miss for the final Test.
But he would be an even bigger miss for the more pressing engagements on the calendar. Moosajee added that De Kock would have a late fitness test on Friday, but all roads of sensibility point to Titans' man Klaasen donning the gloves, and De Kock starting his road to recovery in earnest.
One more Test win in New Zealand is just not worth risking the entire schedule in England.
Klaasen has come into the picture through sone strong performances with the bat in the Sunfoil Series, but he has also benefitted from gaming former South African star Mark Boucher as coach in Pretoria.
The third Test in Hamilton starts on a Friday night (11pm SA time).