The day belonged to Karunaratne, whose 6-hour marathon helped Sri Lanka to a respectable total after a middle-order collapse.

Virender Sehwag didn't shy to heap praises on warhorse pacer, saying "the grass always seemed greener whenever Steyn bowled."

But the more important fact‚ for South Africans‚ was that Steyn came through 50 overs of bowling in the match.

Steyn sustained a heel injury during the Cape Town Test against India earlier in the year, and was then ruled out of the rest of the three-match series.

Considered one of the most explosive batsman in world cricket on his day, the 28-year-old South African has played in just two matches in the 2018 edition of the tournament. 

Bancroft was seen rubbing the ball with his hands shortly before tea and then put them back in his pockets.

It has now been confirmed that Steyn would only be considered for selection for the fourth Test at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on March 30.

Steyn drew a massive applause from spectators for each of his blocks during his five-minute unbeaten stay at the crease on day four of the Cape Town Test against India on Monday.

Despite Steyn's absence in the bowling unit on day four, the Proteas spearheads ripped past the Indian line-up to win the first Test by 72 runs.

Despite missing the rest of the action on Day 2, Steyn can return to bat on subsequent days.

Steyn appeared to have made a successful return, taking 2-51 in India's first innings to improve his career total to 419 wickets in 86 tests.

Steyn's comeback was closely watched with fears that he hadn't played enough cricket in the buildup to this season and might struggle for match fitness.

Umesh missed out in the first Test against South Africa as captain Virat Kohli decided to play three fast bowlers in Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and debutant Jasprit Bumrah.

The biggest selection dilemma for South Africa and Du Plessis is their pace spearhead Dale Steyn, who is fit and available for selection in the first Test at Newlands after spending a year on the sidelines due to injury.

South Africa's pace attack is certainly a lethal one and Gibson had little hesitation in saying that it is one of the best at the moment.

Morkel on Thursday said he was delighted with the time for rest given ahead of the series against India.

South African captain du Plessis was ruled out of the inaugural day-night Test against Zimbabwe after his recovery from shoulder and back injuries was further delayed by a viral infection.

Skipper Faf du Plessis, who was earlier doubtful for the day-night Test against Zimbabwe as Cricket South Africa was considering not to rush with his inclusion in the squad, has returned to the team after remaining out of action for six weeks.

The 34-year old has been out of action since the Australia tour after an injury in the shoulder kept him out for a nearly a year.

Steyn has been out of action since he got his right shoulder fractured during Australia's first innings of the opening Test against South Africa.