South Africa call up Duanne Olivier, Lungi Ngidi as replacements for Dale Steyn

t is a toss-up between all-rounder Chris Morris or fast bowler Lungi Ngidi to replace injured Dale Steyn for South Africa in the second test against India at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Saturday.

Steyn suffered a heel injury during the first test in Cape Town and the Proteas think-tank have to make a change for Pretoria‚ with Morris and uncapped Ngidi the favourites.

Asked about it at his captain’s press conference on Friday afternoon‚ Faf du Plessis admitted SA are faced with a selection headache in deciding who will replace Steyn in this crucial match where the Proteas could wrap up the series with a match to spare.

“To a degree‚ selection is challenging. Obviously we thought that the team that we selected last week was the right team and it worked very well‚” Du Plessis said.

“But we lost Dale (Steyn)‚ who was the world’s best bowler recently‚ and now we have to look at whether we want to keep the same balance of four seamers and a spinner.

“Or do you go with an extra all-rounder? Once again it is a tough selection but at the same time it is a nice headache to have.”

Cricket: Seamers Olivier, Ngidi added to South Africa squad against India

Fast bowlers Duanne Olivier and Lungi Ngidi ( in picture) have been added to the South African squad for the second Test against India, starting in Centurion on Saturday. (Photo: AP)

Fast bowlers Duanne Olivier and Lungi Ngidi have been added to the South African squad for the second Test against India, starting in Centurion on Saturday, following the injury which has ruled Dale Steyn out of the rest of the series.

Olivier, 25, has played in five Test matches with moderate success, while Ngidi, 21, is regarded as one of South Africa's most promising young bowlers.

The two players will vie with several other members of the squad for a place in the starting line-up as South Africa seek to build on their 72-run win in the first Test at Newlands on Monday.

Coach Ottis Gibson admitted he had only seen Ngidi on television and was keen to take a closer look at a bowler who made a good impression in three Twenty20 internationals against Sri Lanka before being injured.

"I've heard a lot of good things about him," said Gibson.

Ngidi has shown good form for the Titans franchise in all forms of the game this season.