Australia suffered two injury blows at training, with team physio Errol Alcott ruling out Andrew Symonds and Stuart Clark for Sunday's opening one-day international at SuperSports Park.

Tall NSW paceman Clark, who bowled tightly to take 0-25 in Friday night's Twenty20 international, is battling a bruised rib.

All-rounder Symonds strained a muscle in his hip during sprint training on Wednesday and had been hoping to play but Alcott decided the Queenslander should sit the game out.

He was hopeful both players would return for next Friday's game two of the five-match series in Cape Town.

"He's moving pretty well," Alcott said of Symonds.

"We just want to make sure it's totally healed."

Clark's injury was caused by the 10th rib hitting the top of his pelvis in his bowling action, Alcott said.

Australia will regain one-day player of the year Mike Hussey who has been in Perth for the birth of his son William Oliver.

The middle-order batsman arrived in Johannesburg on Friday in time to see Australia lose the Twenty20 match against South Africa by two runs at Wanderers Stadium.

"It's been fantastic really," Hussey said of the week's events.

"I've got the best of both worlds, being able to be there for the birth which is probably the most important thing, and then still have a chance to be available for the first game."

South Africa is also facing injury dramas with seamer Shaun Pollock requiring minor knee surgery which will keep him out of action for 10 days.

Coach Mickey Arthur said a decision had not been made yet on when to have the operation.

In better news for the Proteas, fiery quick Andre Nel appears to have overcome a foot injury and is a chance to play on Sunday.

Paceman Makhaya Ntini is also close to full fitness after battling a knee problem.

Both bowlers were sent home because of their injuries during the just-completed Australian tour.

Sunday's game starts at 10am local time (7pm AEDT).

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