South Africa may be without Vernon Philander for next month's home Test series against England.
The bowler suffered a foot injury in training earlier today during a warm-up football game, which has ruled him out of the ongoing clashes against India.
The Proteas play host to Alastair Cook's England in Cape Town on Boxing Day, and team manager Dr Mohammed Moosajee has conceded that the 30-year-old now has a "tight schedule" to get himself fit.
"Vernon rolled his left ankle during practice at the stadium in Bengaluru this morning. He was taken to the hospital for an MRI scan which confirmed an ankle ligament tear which will rule him out of the current series against India," he said in a statement.
"He will return back to Cape Town this weekend to be assessed by one of Cricket South Africa's specialists. At this moment it is still too early to tell but he will be out for a period of at least six to eight weeks.
"The first Test match against England is six weeks away so it will be a tight schedule to get him ready and rehabilitated to make that Test match. Once he has been assessed back home in Cape Town and a proper programme for physio and rehabilitation has been put into place, we will have a clearer understanding."
Philander has taken 126 wickets from his 32 Test appearances.
Liam Apicella
