HARARE (Reuters) – Uncapped Andre Nel is set to step into Allan Donald's boots for the first Test between Zimbabwe and South Africa, which starts at the Harare Sports Club on Friday. Veteran fast bowler Donald pulled out of the two-Test series and the first of the three one-day internationals that South Africa will play in Zimbabwe because of influenza.

Charl Langeveldt, also uncapped, was a late replacement in the squad for Donald, but indications are that Nel, an original member of the touring party, will be preferred for the series opener. Nel, 24, has plenty of raw pace and is more in the Donald mould than Langeveldt.

Langeveldt's ability to swing the ball through the air, a skill he honed during the off-season, could be a factor in his favour, though, considering Zimbabwe's perennially benign pitches.

The most persuasive argument supporting Nel's inclusion is that he toured West Indies with South Africa between March and May, taking 3 for 20 on his ODI debut.

"I'm keen to play, but sometimes a longer wait is better," Nel told reporters on Thursday. "You learn more and you use your opportunities better. Yes, I am anxious to play but, maybe because of the learning curve, I can do well and stay in the side a lot longer."

Nel said he had learnt much of the fast bowler's craft while spending time in the wings at the highest level. "[South African captain Shaun] Pollock and the guys have taught me to be more patient and to bowl a fuller length to make the batsman play more, whereas I tended to bowl as quickly and as aggressively as possible," Nel said.

"On the other hand, they don't want me to lose my aggression, so I've got to get the balance right. That's what Allan [Donald] is very good at – the moment he starts bowling, you can see the momentum of the game change and there's always something happening."

South Africa's only injury concern going into the first Test was Gary Kirsten's stiff neck. He batted in the nets on Wednesday, however, and said he was confident of being passed fit later on Thursday.

Zimbabwe, who have suffered comprehensive defeats in all three Tests they have played against their neighbours, begin the series as clear underdogs.

The cricketing gulf between the two countries looms wide, with South Africa able to draw on far greater depth of talent, better facilities and infinitely more affluence than Zimbabwe. However, the Zimbabweans are capable of defiant, backs-to-the-wall cricket – as they proved in the drawn home series against India in June, which featured a rousing four-wicket Zimbabwean victory in the second Harare Test.

Against West Indies in July, Zimbabwe hung on with nine wickets down to draw the second Test at Harare. Schoolboy Hamilton Masakadza made 119 to become, at the age of 17 years and 354 days, the youngest player to score a century on Test debut.

Much will be expected of Masakadza against South Africa, and also of the fit-again Andy Flower, whose average of 51.42 makes him one of the most respected batsmen in the game.

However, injuries to the home side's bowlers will affect their already slim hopes of remaining competitive in the series. Left-arm swing bowler Bryan Strang's hamstring problem, while the injuries suffered by fast bowlers Andy Blignaut (ankle) and Brighton Watambwa (knee) have severely weakened Zimbabwe's attack.

Squads:

Zimbabwe Grant Flower, Dion Ebrahim, Hamilton Masakadza, Alistair Campbell, Stuart Carlisle, Andy Flower, Guy Whittall, Craig Wishart, Heath Streak (capt), Travis Friend, Douglas Hondo, Tatenda Taibu (wk), David Mutendera, Henry Olonga, Raymond Price

South Africa Gary Kirsten, Herschelle Gibbs, Boeta Dippenaar, Jacques Kallis, Neil McKenzie, Shaun Pollock (capt), Mark Boucher (wk), Justin Kemp, Lance Klusener, Charl Langeveldt, Claude Henderson, Andre Nel, Makhaya Ntini

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