His discomfort was visible in Zimbabwe's second innings of the first Test, where he bowled only five overs.

Shane Jabaar, the South African team physiotherapist, believed Shaun's ankle would not recover in time for the Test, which begins on March 11. Supersport quoted him as saying, "Shaun will consult a specialist about his sore ankle on Wednesday, but I do not think he will play in the second Test."

Jabaar also spoke about the injuries afflicting captain Graeme Smith, Charl Langeveldt and AB de Villiers. "His ankle remains problematic and we are treating it," Jabaar said of Smith. "However, we need time, that is something we do not have."

But he had some good news. He confirmed that AB de Villiers did not have a broken finger and that Langeveldt's hamstring problem was recovering well.