The availability of South African fast bowlers Anrich Nortje and Sisanda Magala for the upcoming ODI World Cup in India will be determined following a fitness test this week.

Anrich Nortje and Sisanda Magala will undergo fitness tests this week to determine their availability for the ODI World Cup. They were named in South Africa's initial 15-man squad for the tournament, but played just one game each of the five-match ODI series against Australia before suffering lower back and left knee injuries respectively. A final call will be made to welcome them ahead of South Africa's departure for India on September 23, with early indications that both are at risk of not making the trip.

But early indications are that both Quicks are likely to miss the bus.

“We're constantly taking stock of where these two players are,” South Africa's white-ball coach Rob Walter was quoted as saying after the 3-2 series win against Australia.

“The fact that they couldn't play today, a week before boarding the plane to the World Cup, is of course a cause for concern. We would have wanted them out there. There are complications when you take injured players." World Cup, because then you have to give a medical reason to be substituted." Should both Nortje and Magala miss out, South Africa will probably name Andile Phehlukwayo in the World Cup squad.

If Nortje's absence is confirmed, it would be a huge blow to South Africa as he is the fastest bowler and has extensive experience in India, where he plays for the Delhi Capitals in the IPL. Nortje played in the Major League Cricket tournament in the USA during the South African winter and was rested for the T20Is against Australia. He was then ruled out of the first ODI but played in the second. He managed to bowl only five overs before leaving the field. He missed the third game after being sent for scans and was then ruled out of the series, but was expected to start bowling again this weekend with the coaching staff.

Magala's problem also appears to be serious. He had not played cricket since tearing tissue in his hand in the IPL in early April and was subsequently ruled out of the T20Is against Australia due to infrapatellar tendinopathy - pain in the tendon that connects the kneecap to the shinbone. He played in the third ODI against Australia, where he bowled four overs, and has had recurrence of knee discomfort since then.

“Andile is one of several players who are part of a larger team and today he showed us the skills we have seen, particularly with the bat,” Walter said.

Walter also mentioned left-arm spinner Bjorn Fortuin, although his appointment would change the composition of the South African team, which relies heavily on fast bowlers.