South Africa received yet another injury setback after veteran seamer Vernon Philander was ruled out of at least the first Test against Pakistan which begins on December 26.

Philander is nursing a fractured right thumb and is all but certain to miss the Centurion Test. The news is another setback for the Proteas who were already dealing with the knee injury to pace ace Lungi Ngidi.

Ngidi was earlier ruled out of action for at least three months after injuring his knee while fielding in a Twenty20 against Australia last month.

South Africa are without two of their premier pacers and that levels the playing field for Pakistan.

Sarfraz Ahmed’s team will fancy their chances against the hosts who be relying heavily on young fast bowler Kagiso Rabada and the injury prone veteran Dale Steyn.