Steyn rested as Kirsten tests reserve strength

Wayne Parnell will play in the remaining two one-day internationals against Sri Lanka in place of Dale Steyn, who is being rested. With the series already won, South Africa will use the matches in Kimberley and Johannesburg to test the strength of their bench, which could also see Vernon Philander in the starting XI.

"We are looking at how we can get the best out of Wayne," coach Gary Kirsten said. "It's good that there is competition for places in both the test and the one-day unit. We'll look at ways that Wayne and other guys are able to make their best contribution to the side."

South Africa travel to New Zealand, England and Australia this year and Kirsten said it will be vital to have a pool of players who could step into the team at a moment's notice on the tours.

"It's important that we develop and grow players and have a squad of 16 or 17 players that we can pick from at any time," he said. "It allows us to rotate better and to rest players that we think need rest."

One of the major criticisms of South Africa's one-day team in the past has been an over-reliance on a handful of stars to carry the team. Kirsten said it is part of a long-term plan, presumably to win a World Cup, to ensure everyone in the squad is equipped to contribute equally.

To put that theory into effect, the No4 position in the batting order has been rotated in the series so far. Each of AB de Villiers, JP Duminy and Faf du Plessis has had the opportunity to bat there and all three of them succeeded in the role. Kirsten said the position will remain fluid to accommodate the match situation.

"For me, No. 4, 5, 6 and 7 are the crucial positions in one-day cricket because those are your closers. I want to see who our best closers are," he said. "We're going to mix it up a bit. It's important to get the players comfortable with flexibility."

For all the elasticity in the South African side now, two things will remain unchanged: the position of the two former captains. Graeme Smith and Johan Botha will likely stay in and out of the side respectively. Kirsten said a decision was taken to "give Robin Peterson a crack in this series", as South Africa look for another wicket-taking option.

Smith will open the batting with Alviro Petersen. He has had a lean run thus far, having only scored one half-century in his past 17 matches, but Kirsten said the country should be patient with him. "He is going through a tough time and he has acknowledged that," Kirsten said.

"He knows he needs to perform. He deserves a little bit more than others because of the service he has given to this country as a leader."

Sri Lanka will have one enforced change to their team. Mahela Jayawardene has been ruled out of the rest of the series with a back injury, and Lahiru Thirimanne will replace him.