South Africa’s preparations for the decisive Visakhapatnam ODI have taken an uneasy turn, with injuries to Nandre Burger and Tony de Zorzi emerging as major concerns after their dramatic win in Raipur. With the series tied at 1–1 and both teams eyeing a decisive edge, the uncertainty around two key players has added an unexpected layer to South Africa’s build-up.
Speaking at the press conference a day ahead of the 3rd ODI, the team manager confirmed that both Burger and de Zorzi had undergone scans on Thursday morning, briefly outlining the situation and leaving their availability dependent on medical results.
“Pacer Nandre Burger and batter Tony de Zorzi have gone for scans after limping off during the 2nd ODI in Raipur. Their continued availability will be decided depending on the results,” he said, providing the first official update.
South Africa’s concerns began when Burger pulled up in the middle of his seventh over of the Raipur ODI, twice halting his run-up before clutching his right knee. He soon walked off the field, leaving Aiden Markram to complete the remaining deliveries. Burger is still dealing with hamstring discomfort, a worrying sign considering his long injury history, including a lower-back stress fracture that sidelined him for nearly a year. His absence would leave South Africa’s pace attack heavily stretched, especially with Kagiso Rabada out due to a rib niggle and Gerald Coetzee not on this tour.
