Philander in contention for return

Keep up to date with all that's new around the world - read match reports and more from every international played

Vernon Philander sustained a knee injury in the build-up to the second Test but looks set to be available for the deciding game

Vernon Philander is set to return for South Africa in the deciding Test with Sri Lanka at Cape Town from Tuesday.

The 26-year-old seamer, who has taken four five-wicket hauls in his first three Tests, missed the Proteas’ series-leveling 208-run defeat in the Boxing Day Test at Durban due to a knee injury sustained in the build-up to the game.

Philander’s recovery leaves the hosts with a tricky decision after his replacement, Marchant de Lange, claimed eight wickets on international debut.

Philander remains in an unchanged squad that features opening batsman Alviro Petersen, who could replace the out-of-form Jacques Rudolph.

Since Rudolph’s recall, following a five-year hiatus, he has a top score of 44 in seven Test innings.

South Africa squad: Graeme Smith (captain), Jacques Rudolph, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, Ashwell Prince, Alvrio Petersen, Mark Boucher (wicketkeeper), Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir, Marchant de Lange.