South African skipper Graeme Smith has been ruled out of his side's tour to Sri Lanka after tearing ligaments in his ankle.
The opening batsman slipped while running earlier in the week but is yet to find out how long he will be sidelined for.
With vice-captain Jaques Kallis also missing the trip to Sri Lanka, Ashwell Prince will assume the role of captain for the two Test matches.
Top order batsman Jacques Rudolph, who had a successful tour to Sri Lanka last year with South Africa's second string side, has been called into the squad as Smith's replacement.
National convenor of selectors, Haroon Lorgat, told the BBC: "Graeme will undergo a further stress X-ray on Tuesday to determine the full extent of his injury and the treatment required.
"This is surely not an ideal way to start our season, but if we are to experience any misfortune during this year, I would rather have it now than later."
Prince will make history as the first black captain of the Proteas when he leads the side out for the first Test which starts on July 27.
"The most important thing will be to get the best out of the guys and to get them to perform in those conditions," he said.
"The conditions will be very different to what we're used to with the humidity and the heat."
South Africa's one-day squad and captain will only be announced after the first Test in Colombo.
