Cape Town - Dale Steyn has not recovered from his shoulder injury and has been officially ruled out of the fourth Test against England in Centurion, starting on Friday.
Steyn broke down in the second innings of the 2015 Boxing Day Test in Durban and has not played since.
Meanwhile, struggling opener Stiaan van Zyl has been released from the squad in a move that now almost guarantees the Highveld Lions' Stephen Cook a Test debut.
Van Zyl is expected to play for the Cape Cobras in their Sunfoil Series match against the Dolphins in Durban, starting on Thursday.
The other news from the Proteas camp on Monday was that wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock will have a final fitness Test on Tuesday.
De Kock was ruled out of the third Test in Johannesburg after injuring his knee while walking his dogs on the eve of the Test.