South Africa captain Graeme Smith has been ruled out of the Champions Trophy next month due to an injured left ankle.

South Africa team manager Mohammed Moosajee released a statement on Thursday saying scans on Smith’s left ankle in London on Wednesday showed a stress fracture, which would require surgery and then a recovery period of four to six months.

Moosajee said Smith, who has been playing County cricket in England, would return to Africa and a replacement would be named for the June 6-23 Champions Trophy.

Smith said: “It’s a big blow for me personally to be missing out on the Champions Trophy next month.”