South Africa’s premier fast bowler Dale Steyn has ruled himself out of the third Test against Australia at Cape Town. The paceman is still in the recovery phase of his heel injury.

Dale Steyn had got injured during the first Test against India in January and is just three wickets shy of becoming the highest wicket taker for South Africa in international cricket. "The problem as a fast bowler is I need to land on that front foot of mine. Putting eight or nine times my body weight on that front foot... it can only handle so much,” Steyn told South Africa’s Independent Media group.

"People are saying it is so disappointing that you can’t play the four-day game but what would be worse is playing the game and walking off with another injury," he said.

Now, Steyn is banking on a return to South Africa squad for the fourth Test at the Wanderers in Johannesburg.

“That speaks for the test matches too. I can’t imagine another test where I need to walk off halfway because my foot is just a little bruised."I can’t let my team mates down, or my country for that matter. It has happened a couple of times now. We are pushing for that fourth test,” he added.

Steyn was seen as a replacement for suspended Kagiso Rabada for the third Test, as the series stands 1-1.