Another blow for Proteas as De Bruyn ruled out of Sydney Test due to family reasons

Proteas batter Theunis de Bruyn will return to South Africa and miss next week's third and final Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) confirmed that De Bruyn will return home for the birth of his first child.

It means that the Proteas will make at least one change following their innings and 182-run defeat to the hosts in the second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

De Bruyn only played the second Test, having replaced Rassie van der Dussen, in what was his first Test since 2019.

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De Bruyn scored 12 and 28 at the MCG as Australia took an unassailable 2-0 Test series victory against South Africa with one Test remaining.

Meanwhile, the Proteas headed to Sydney on Saturday to prepare for the New Year's Test and a much-need World Test Championship win.

The third and final Test gets under way from Wednesday at 01:30 SA time.

Proteas Test squad for Australia tour:

Dean Elgar (captain, Titans), Temba Bavuma (Lions), Gerald Coetzee (Knights), Sarel Erwee (Dolphins), Simon Harmer (Titans), Marco Jansen (Warriors), Heinrich Klaasen (Titans), Keshav Maharaj (Dolphins), Lungi Ngidi (Titans), Anrich Nortje (Warriors), Kagiso Rabada (Lions), Rassie van der Dussen (Lions), Kyle Verreynne (wicketkeeper, Western Province), Lizaad Williams (Titans), Khaya Zondo (Dolphins).