South Africa keep the faith

Ashwell Prince's damaged thumb will keep him on the sidelines for a further Test

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South Africa have resisted the temptation to bring vice-captain Ashwell Prince back into their side for the third Test against Australia, which gets under way at the SCG tomorrow.

Prince was ruled out of the Perth Test last month with a damaged thumb after he was struck by paceman Makhaya Ntini during a net session.

He also missed the historic victory at the MCG and selectors have kept faith with Prince's replacement JP Duminy, who has made the most of his opportunities in the opening two Tests by hitting an unbeaten half-century in Perth and a match-defining 166 in Melbourne.

Veteran opener Neil McKenzie has also been retained in an unchanged line-up.

Skipper Graeme Smith confirmed Smith is still suffering the effects of the injury that kept him out of the opening two Tests.

"Ashwell wasn't considered yesterday. In his training he still had quite a bit of pain in his thumb so we've gone in with the same team," Smith said.

Smith revealed Prince’s frustration at having been confined to the sidelines but backed the 30-year-old to win back his place sooner rather than later.

"He is obviously hugely frustrated but sometimes in sport you can't plan these sorts of things," added Smith.

"I think he's extremely proud and happy of the way the team has performed.

JP Duminy has excelled in Prince's absence, hitting a half-century on debut and a fine 166 at the MCG

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“I mean he is the vice-captain of the team, he's handled himself tremendously well behind the scenes in the environment and he's been a great support to JP.

"So as a senior player you can't ask for more from the guy except to get on the field and perform.

"But when we get back home, obviously he's knows the support that he's got and the performances that he's put in for us over a period of time, so he will be right in there in the reckoning and looking to play in the Tests at home."

Smith also confirmed he will play in Sydney despite a troublesome elbow injury, although he will not feature in the one-day leg of the tour that follows the Tests.

"Obviously it's getting worse and worse the more you use it and the more you play," he continued.

"I just feel that I can hopefully push it out one more game. It's been such a terrific year and series that I would like to finish it on a high with the boys and hopefully play some good cricket in the next five days and then do whatever I can to make sure that I'm strong and ready for the home series."