A decision on whether to field Gary Kirsten in South Africa's opening Test match against Zimbabwe starting on Friday will be taken later on Thursday, it has been confirmed.

Kirsten has been suffering from a stiff neck and although he said on Wednesday that he was "feeling good", it is by no means certain that he will be declared fit enough to start the match.

He will be replaced by Western Province captain HD Ackerman if he cannot take his place in the South African starting lineup.

South Africa, meanwhile, now seem certain to field to new Test caps in fast bowler Andre Nel and left-arm spinner Claude Henderson. Nel will come in for Allan Donald who has been sidelined by a severe dose of flu, while Henderson replaces Nicky Boje, still recovering from a shoulder operation.

© CricInfo