Stuurman suffered an abdominal muscle strain while playing a domestic four-day match in South Africa over the weekend and is expected to be sidelined for up to six weeks.

While the 30-year-old has only played two Test matches for his country, it robs South Africa of some valuable depth from their already deep fast bowling stocks that includes Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada.

Stuurman has been replaced in the 16-player squad by fellow pacer Lizaad Williams, with the 29-year-old right-armer also having previously made two Test appearances for South Africa.

The series against Australia will be crucial to the World Test Championship fortunes of both sides, with the two Test powerhouses currently occupying the top two spots on the standings and well placed to reach next year's final at The Oval.

Australia sit on top of the standings and can further increase their lead prior to the South Africa series when they host the West Indies for two Test matches at the start of December.

South Africa Test squad: Dean Elgar (c), Temba Bavuma, Gerald Coetzee, Theunis de Bruyn, Sarel Erwee, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Lizaad Williams, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, Khaya Zondo.

Schedule:
December 17-21 2022 – First Test, The Gabba, Brisbane
December 26-30 2022 – Second Test, MCG, Melbourne
January 4-8 2023 – Third Test, SCG, Sydney

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