Medical staff hope to have Test captain and key ODI batsman Faf du Plessis fit for the first of three ODIs against England at Headingley in Leeds on Wednesday next week. Du Plessis is the only player in the national cricket squad of 15 that left for England yesterday with an injury.
Team doctor Mohammed Moosajee allayed fears about his fitness and said a plan was in place to have Du Plessis ready for the first ODI.
"Faf is the only guy among the 15 squad members carrying an injury," said Moosajee at OR Tambo International Airport shortly before they departed yesterday.
"He saw one of Cricket SA's specialists in Cape Town last week and a plan is in place to have him ready for the first ODI.
"We are not sure about the warm-up games yet. We will take another look at that when we are there and decide then."
Moosajee also revealed that the surgery to repair Dale Steyn's shoulder was "a resounding success. The bone has healed. Now it's a case of stabilising the shoulder".
Moosajee said team management was looking at ways to keep players fresh during what is going to be a long tour. The Champions Trophy and the tour of England afterwards will keep the players away from home for 12 weeks.
"There are challenges of keeping them fresh, and affording them family time," he said. "A 12-week tour is unprecedented for us. Some guys may come home for a week in between if there is time."
The team's first warm-up ODI is in Leeds today, the second in Southampton on Saturday and the last at Lord's on Monday.
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