South Africa, facing its third cricket game in four days, is suffering under the rigours of a tough tri-series schedule, captain Shaun Pollock said today.

The Proteas, after losing both matches in a double-header at the weekend in Brisbane, will square off against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground tomorrow.

And Pollock said the team would be lucky to scrape together 11 fit players.

"It is very difficult to play three one-day internationals of such high quality in four days," Pollock said.

"It's a big ask for the guys, who are suffering. We have a few injury worries - and there's a good chance a few of our guys won't be able to play."

Makhaya Ntini needs a fitness test on a strained hamstring, Allan Donald was still bothered by an injured finger which kept him out of the weekend games, and Jacques Kallis hasn't fully recovered from an ankle strain which kept him out of the game against New Zealand in Hobart.

To add to the worries, Justin Kemp has also joined the injured list.

"We're just waiting to see how it all turns out," Pollock said pessimistically.

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming has already claimed the schedule favoured Australia, which never plays on consecutive days.

"You have to look at the way the tournament is structured and which team gets the comfortable draw to know there are some hard yards for the other two teams," Fleming said.

"That's part and parcel of what you have to go through.

"Have a look at that itinerary and see what I'm talking about."

However, Pollock could see the rationale for the scheduling.

"It is hard work for us but I think you can understand the Australian Cricket Board - you can't be having Australia playing two games in the same place," he said.

"For them it's very difficult to have a double-header, they have to try to spread their games around Australia to give them (Australia) the most exposure around the country."

© 2002 AAP