South Africa’s chances of fighting back in the Test series decider against Australia suffered an immense blow early on day two, with Dale Steyn still hamstrung and unlikely to bowl again in the match.

Steyn suffered a hamstring strain on Saturday in the second session and was unable to complete his 11th over.

The superstar speedster, who used reverse-swing to devastating effect in the second Test when he claimed 3-4 from 15 balls, was slated to have a fitness test on Sunday.

But instead of testing out his bandaged right leg with shuttle runs, Steyn was restricted to walking around Newlands with a noticeable limp.

Cricket South Africa is yet to confirm the severity of Steyn’s injury, but it is doubtful he will bowl in the second dig.

South African bowling coach Allan Donald admitted Steyn would be a huge loss, especially with the tourists piling on the runs in the first innings.

“If you lose your gun bowler, which is Dale Steyn, then the rest are going to have to step up. We’ve done that on numerous occasions,” Donald said after day one.

“It’s a little bit disappointing but there’s not a lot you can do in that situation.

“Morne Morkel was absolutely outstanding … he’s taken that responsibility on himself. You lose the leader of your group, someone else stepped up.”

The world No.1 Test side have had a terrible run with injuries this year, and are facing their first Test series loss since 2009.

AB de Villiers (hand surgery) and Steyn (fractured rib) spent the whole of January in rehabilitation, but both played the first Test against Australia.

Morkel had scans on a right shoulder injury during day two of the first Test, but was passed fit and bowled again in the Proteas’ 281-run loss in Centurion.

Wayne Parnell suffered a groin strain in the second Test and was unable to bowl again after sending down 8.3 overs in the first innings.

Steyn’s injury and the absence of a frontline spinner will put incredible strain on the Proteas’ bowling attack.

“They’re OK, but if they ever have a problem – say with injury – they’re going to struggle,” West Indies pace icon Michael Holding said of the Proteas’ bowling stocks in the lead-up to the series.