Dale Steyn ruled out of the third Test against Australia

After losing the first Test on a convincing margin to Australia, South Africa's hopes of securing their first home Test series victory over their opponents increased when Kagiso Rabada and AB de Villiers helped them win the second Test to level the series. But, Rabada was suspended for a couple of Tests after involving in an unpleasant shoulder brushing with Steve Smith which meant he will not feature for the remainder of the series. Due to his absence, the hosts wanted Steyn to come back to lead the bowling attack, but ahead of the third Test, the pacer ruled himself out of the match.

"The problem as a fast bowler is I need to land on that front foot of mine. Putting eight or nine times my body weight on that front foot... it can only handle so much," Steyn said, as quoted by AFP.

Steyn made a comeback to the South African side after a long recovery, but he had to rule himself out midway through the first Test against India in Cape Town due to a heel injury. He is just three wickets away from being the most successful South African bowler and can achieve that goal in this series as he is expected to play in the fourth Test at the Wanderers in Johannesburg which is scheduled to be held on towards the end of this month.

"People are saying it is so disappointing that you can't play the four-day game but what would be worse is playing the game and walking off with another injury," he said.

"That speaks for the Test matches too. I can't imagine another Test where I need to walk off halfway because my foot is just a little bruised.

"I can't let my teammates down or my country for that matter. It has happened a couple of times now. We are pushing for that fourth Test."