The South Africa cricket captain AB de Villiers has been ruled out of their two-test home series against the Black Caps later this month with an elbow injury.
South Africa captain AB de Villiers. Photo: Photosport
Faf du Plessis will take over as skipper.
De Villiers will be out for six to eight weeks, while fast bowler Morne Morkel has also been sidelined, with a bulging disc in his back.
"I'm naturally disappointed to miss the test series against New Zealand, particularly because I have not missed a test match through injury since my debut in 2004," De Villiers said.
"However, with an exciting summer of cricket ahead, it is obviously sensible to give my elbow time to heal properly."
Seamer Vernon Philander makes a return to the test squad for the first time in 10 months, while Dale Steyn has also been included after recovering from the shoulder and groin problems that plagued him in the Proteas' last two test series against India and England.
All-rounder Wayne Parnell is the only member of the 15-man squad who did not play in the most recent test series against the English at the start of the year.
-Reuters
