South Africa will make a decision on Wednesday on whether to send Jacques Kallis home after the star batsman suffered a painful recurrence of an elbow injury on Tuesday.

Kallis missed the Proteas' 94-run tri-series loss to Sri Lanka at the Gabba on Tuesday night after his troublesome elbow flared up during the warm-up.

He had scans during the day and could be in doubt for the start of the return Test series against Australia in March.

Smith said he expected Kallis to be fit for the Test series but remained concerned over his involvement in the preceding one-day series.

"He had a re-scan today and it doesn't look good," Smith said.

"It would pretty much look like he's going home."

South Africa has already flown Makhaya Ntini (knee) and Andre Nel (foot) home while experienced quick Charl Langeveldt has been carrying a groin injury since the third Test in Sydney.

The Proteas fell to last place on the tri-series table after Sri Lanka claimed its first win over the tournament.

The Sri Lankans bounced back from their series opening 116-run loss to Australia last Friday and made Smith pay for sending them into bat after he won the toss.

South Africa's next match is against Australia in Melbourne on Friday with the Sri Lankans set to face the world champions on Sunday.

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