Cape Town - Hashim Amla has been ruled out of the remainder of the 2016 T20 Challenge with whiplash.
The Cape Cobras batsman sustained the injury while fielding for the Proteas when he failed to hang onto a catch off the bowling of JP Duminy in the third Test against Australia at the Adelaide Oval.
Paul Adams, the Cape Cobras’ coach, also confirmed that Duminy was being given a week off to recuperate after the South African tour Down Under.
Dane Vilas, meanwhile, will be available.
The team won’t tamper with their current bowling attack and therefore Vernon Philander won’t be considered for Sunday's clash against the Dolphins in Durban.
Adams said Vilas is an important acquisition for the Cobras as he fulfills the dual role of excellent runner and boundary hitter with distinction.
The coach said the team doesn’t want to be drawn into permutations prematurely with regards to their position on the log.
The next four games are massive ones, and a win in each game would be the focus, instead of worrying about bonus points or the performances of other teams.
"We must focus on what we can control," he said.
"I thought our batting performance in the abandoned game against the Titans was massive in terms of attitude and effort."
The Cobras are currently fifth on the log and, ideally, need to win their next four games and acquire some bonus points to eclipse the Warriors, who are second-placed, while the Eastern Cape franchise will have to sustain some losses if the Cobras are to host a semi-final playoff.
The Titans boast 24 points after six matches and are virtually out of reach of the Cobras.