South African batter Theunis de Bruyn will miss the third and final Test against Australia (January 4-8) in Sydney for the birth of his first child.
The 30-year-old replaced Rassie van der Dussen in the second Test in Melbourne and made scores of 12 and 28 batting at No. 3. That was de Bruyn's first Test since October 2019.
The Proteas now have the option of bringing back van der Dussen or could even give an opportunity to wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen who has played only one Test so far in his career.
South Africa have been no match to Australia in this series, having lost the first Test at the Gabba by six wickets before losing the second one by an innings and 182 runs.