South Africa will be without Wiaan Mulder for the remainder of the ongoing first Test against Sri Lanka in Durban, as well as the upcoming second Test in Gqeberha, after the allrounder fractured his right middle finger.
Cricket South Africa has announced that batter Matthew Breetzke will replace Mulder for the second Test, which begins on December 5.
The 24-year-old Breetzke made his Test debut last month in Mirpur against Bangladesh.
Mulder sustained the injury when he was struck on the hand by a 140 km/h delivery from Lahiru Kumara while batting on Day 2 of the first Test in Durban.
Despite significant pain, Mulder briefly resumed batting but faced only two more balls before leaving the field.
Later in the same session, with South Africa at nine down for 145, Mulder returned to the crease and partnered with Kagiso Rabada to add 26 runs for the final wicket, including hitting Dhananjaya de Silva for a six.
X-rays taken during the subsequent Lunch break confirmed the severity of the injury, ruling Mulder out of the second Test.
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