South Africa woes increase - Hashim Amla returns home, Dale Steyn faces late fitness test

Hashim Amla returned home soon after the first Test loss to Pakistan to be with his wife who is expecting their second child.

Concerns over Dale Steyn‘s fitness too came up after the bowler felt his right hamstring pull during training on Sunday. Steyn will have to pass a late fitness test before the match.

“Obviously, it’s a challenge to be without your best players,” South Africa captain Graeme Smith said on Tuesday.

“To lose guys like Dale and Hashim is a loss, and we need to be honest about that.

“But, you know, we will be right behind the guys who get the opportunity and hopefully they will provide the performances that are needed to win the Test.”

Allan Donald, South Africa’s bowling coach too returned home on Sunday for personal reasons, thus leaving behind Vincent Barnes to work alongside coach Russell Domingo.