South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis has been ruled out of the one-day series against England because of a rib injury.

Kallis, who has a fracture in the cartilage around the rib, is also doubtful for the first Test against England at Centurion from Dec. 16.

“The injury initially became an issue during the Champions League in India and we had a scan done which did not show anything. But it just wasn’t getting better, so we had him scanned again this morning,” coach Mickey Arthur said.

“We found that there is a fracture in the cartilage of the rib which clearly affects his performances for the next four weeks.

“It is very disappointing from our side and we are hoping that he will be ready for the first Test match. He will have an injection tomorrow that will speed recovery up.”

Kallis is likely to be replaced at the top of the order by Hashim Amla but his absence will also leave a gap in the South African bowling attack.

“We have groomed Hashim Amla to open the batting. He has travelled with the one-day team for quite a period of time and that included playing the whole away series in Australia earlier this year when Graeme Smith was out injured,” Arthur said.

Arthur will meet convenor of selectors Mike Procter over the weekend to decide on an additional player to join the squad.

The first one-day international between the two sides was washed out on Friday. The second match is in Centurion on Sunday.