South Africa are likely to be at full strength to face New Zealand in the first cricket Test at Cape Town after positive prognoses for Vernon Philander and Jacques Kallis.

Fast bowler Philander and world class allrounder Kallis are recovering well from hamstring problems according to team manager Mohammed Moosajee.

Philander, who tormented New Zealand when the Proteas toured earlier this year, is recovering from a grade one strain and will be fully assessed next week ahead of the Test starting on Wednesday. He has been training with the team, but not bowling.

“He is still in the rehabilitation phase but is coming along nicely,” said Moosajee, who is also a doctor.

If deemed unfit, Philander’s place is likely to go to Rory Kleinveldt as a third seamer behind Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel.

Moosajee said Kallis was now “symptom-free and ready to go” following a three-week break after sustaining a hamstring strain during the Test series in Australia.

He needs just 20 more runs to become the fourth player to reach 13,000 Test runs after Indians Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid, and recently retired Australian Ricky Ponting.