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Cape Town - Dale Steyn has ruled himself out of next year's Indian Premier League (IPL) in order to return to the Proteas side for their England tour - and possibly the ICC Champions Trophy.
Steyn, who injured his shoulder in the recent Australian Test series, spoke to ESPNCricinfo regarding his recovery and the extra measures he plans on taking in order to get back into the Proteas line-up.
"The first two to three months is just the healing phase so by the end of February I will start to be able to do things like light bowling, start swimming and all that kind of stuff," confirmed Steyn.
The 33-year-old will be out of action for six months in total, meaning he'll miss the upcoming Sri Lankan visit to South Africa and the tour to New Zealand which begins on February 17 with a T20 clash and ends with the March 25-29 third Test.
The fast bowler has also ruled out participating in the 2017 IPL, which runs from April 5 to May 21, for his team, the Gujarat Lions.
"June is realistic for South Africa," said Steyn.
"I haven't had a long break like this in a good few years and every season I go into it with something wrong, whether it be a little hammie or whatever.
"It will be nice to go into a season, starting in June, and confidently know that I am really strong and in a good place."
The Proteas are scheduled to play three ODIs in England and then participate in the Champions Trophy, which runs from June 1-18.
The English tour then continues with three T20s and four Tests, ending in August.
Steyn needs four Test wickets to reach 421 and tie former skipper Shaun Pollock as the leading South African wicket-taker in the Test arena.
