South Africa will be without Vernon Philander for the first Test against Bangladesh at the end of the month after it was confirmed the fast bowler will miss next week's domestic season opener, reports Cricbuzz.

Philander has spent the past seven weeks working his way back to full fitness after missing the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford with a back problem. While it was hoped that the 32-year-old would be able to represent his franchise, the Cape Cobras, in their first-class match against the Knights in Bloemfontein on Tuesday, the fixture has come too soon.

“Vernon is coming back very well and is virtually good to go,” Dr Shuaib Manjra, who chairs Cricket South Africa's medical committee, told Cricbuzz on Friday (September 15). “We are not going to target the first game for his comeback; we are going to target the second game.”

However, with the second round of Sunfoil Series fixtures only getting underway on September 28 - the same day that the first Test starts in Potchefstroom - Philander will not be considered for the opening match against Bangladesh. “Our policy is that they need to play a franchise game or two before they come back and play for the Proteas,” said Manjra.

Should Philander play for the Cobras in their second game, when they take on the Lions at the Wanderers, then he could prove his fitness sufficiently for the second Test against Bangladesh, which starts in Bloemfontein on October 6.

With Dale Steyn's absence lengthened by a pectoral muscle tear this week, South Africa's attack for the first Test is likely to be made up of Kagiso Rabada, Morne Morkel and one or both of Duanne Olivier and Chris Morris. All four of those players - including Morkel, who is with the World XI in Pakistan - are expected to turn out for their franchises in the Sunfoil Series on Tuesday.

Although Manjra said that both Faf du Plessis and Hashim Amla are carrying niggles, neither are of any great concern. “They are both playing in Pakistan at the moment (with the World XI), so they are playing through the minor issues that they have got,” said Manjra. “Professional sportspeople have always got minor niggles but there is nothing serious.”

Philander's ability to stay fit - or play through such niggles - came into question during the England series. Du Plessis admitted after the fourth Test that it had been “frustrating” when the fast bowler woke up with a stiff back on the morning of the game and unexpectedly pulled out.