"The in-form Wyk will offer batting back up to the squad after Gibbs missed the opening two games due to a muscle condition called delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and Neil McKenzie suffered a back spasm during his knock of 62 in the first match," said spokesman Gerald de Kock.

The Proteas were edged out by Pakistan by eight runs in the match with Gibbss replacement Boeta Dippenaar hitting an unbeaten 110.

"We do have a few injury worries with Gibbs and McKenzie, and the severe heat and humidity also took its toll and we have decided to rotate players," said South African coach Eric Simons.

The burly Wyk, 24, made an unimpressive one-day debut against England in the final of the NatWest Trophy which South Africa lost.

Wyk, however, came into reckoning after scoring 226 in three matches against touring Sri Lanka "A" in South Africa.

Gibbs had suffered a groin injury before flying to Pakistan but played a warm upmatch without any discomfort on Wednesday.

He then pulled a stomach muscle in the teams training session on Thursday.

McKenzie was lucky to get his fitness and is playing in the second match.