South Africa and New Zealand both announced injury setbacks on Thursday ahead of two Tests between the countries starting on January 2. South African fast bowler Vernon Philander suffered a hamstring injury during a domestic four-day match in Cape Town on Thursday and will not bowl again for the Cape Cobras against the Titans.

New Zealand, meanwhile, will be without leading fast bowler Tim Southee for the two-Test series after Southee injured a thumb during a domestic match. Neither Philander nor Southee was due to play in a three-match Twenty20 series which starts in Durban on Friday.

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2012