Boland swing bowler Charl Langeveldt and Western Province captain and batsman HD Ackerman have been called up to tour Zimbabwe as South Africa's early-season preparations were thrown into disarray on Monday.

Ackerman owes his call-up to a stiff neck worrying Gary Kirsten while Langeveldt was brought into the squad after the withdrawal of Allan Donald with a particularly severe dose of flu.

Ackerman will cover for Kirsten in the event of the left-hander failing a fitness test ahead of Friday's first Test match in Harare.

The situation regarding Donald, however, is rather more complicated. He attended the recent bowling camp in Johannesburg as well as the South African training camp last week, but on Sunday he was feeling so ill that he was sent home to Bloemfontein to recover.

According to a press statement issued by the United Cricket Board, Donald "will definitely not take part in the two Test matches or the first One Day International on September 23 in Bulawayo. However, the convenor of national selectors, Rushdi Magiet, said today that if Donald had recovered he could be considered for the squad for the last two ODIs. The selection panel meets on September 24 to choose the squad for the second and third ODIs which take place on September 29 and 30 in Harare".

Magiet told CricInfo on Monday that: "Allan's very keen to play in the Test matches this summer, and we're very keen to have him in the Test side. So we think it would be best for him to stay behind and get himself fully fit."

All of which begs the question of how fit was Donald when he reported for the two camps staged in Johannesburg? Certainly, a convalescent period for flu which stretches over three weeks seems extraordinarily generous.

Although he was perfectly entitled to spend the winter putting his feet up, he was expected, in terms of his UCB contract, to maintain a level of fitness. Given that Donald has been aware for some time of his selection for the Zimbabwe, it is disturbing that a single dose of flu should have ruled him out of the greater part of a month-long tour.

Donald's absence, nevertheless, should open the way for Andre Nel to win his first Test cap. As the extra fast bowler in the 13-man squad originally chosen to go to Zimbabwe, Nel should have good reason to believe that his patience throughout the West Indies tour is about to be rewarded.

Certainly, it would come as a major surprise should the 26-year-old Langeveldt be drafted into the Test team. If he is believed good enough to play cricket now, after the winter break, then surely he should have been taken to the West Indies.

© CricInfo