Extra rest the golden ticket for Proteas

An extra day's rest on a cricket tour through the length and breadth of a country as spread-out as India is gold-dust for a visiting team.

The two days of rest and relaxation enjoyed by South Africa after their five-run win over India on Sunday came at exactly the right time for the Proteas, as they look to seal a series victory in the fourth one-day international on Thursday.

Allrounder JP Duminy has been ruled out of the series, while speedster Morne Morkel struggled to finish his spell on Sunday after suffering a sore leg. 

With four Tests to follow the ODI series, keeping players fit is a priority for the Proteas.

"[Rest] is very important," South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn said.

"There have been a couple of niggles and what not. A couple of guys have been hurt here and there and we still have a long tour ahead of us.

"We have a good physio and trainer and they are able to make sure that all guys are fit and strong. But the last couple of days [of break] have been needed. 

"We have been to lot of different cities since arriving and it has kind of been an arrive-play-practice-go kind of thing.

"It has been on the go all the time. The boys needed the rest yesterday."

One factor making life harder for South Africa as a they seek a series win will be the conditions in Chennai, which are expected to be more challenging than those experienced in the first three ODIs.

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Often called a city where 'the three seasons are hot, hotter and hottest', the energy-sapping humidity can play a major role in results.

Australia's Dean Jones was left a physical wreck following his double-century at the ground during Test in the city in 1986, so much so that his wife is said to have almost failed to recognise him when he returned home following that tour. 

While things have improved since due to a reconstruction of the stadium in 2009 that allows a breeze to blow in and cool things off, players can nonetheless expect difficult conditions. 

The visitors haven't looked too harried by the conditions in the series thus far, but this match could be their biggest test to date.

However, fast bowler Dale Steyn was quick to dismiss any concerns about the weather.

"I don’t think it [the conditions] is a setback,” he said.

"We have already been in India for two weeks and it has been pretty hot already.

"A couple of us have played here before for South Africa and many of the guys have played here before in the IPL, so the heat is not really a big factor to be honest.

"The last couple of cities that we have been to have been pretty warm and we have been in hot countries in the past. It's no different for us anymore."

While Steyn did not reveal the playing XI for the Chennai ODI, South Africa will be forced to make at least one change to their line-up. 

Dean Elgar has been called up into the squad as a replacement for Duminy, but given he arrived in the wee hours of the morning on Wednesday, it will be interesting to see if he makes it to the starting XI.

Aaron Phangiso, Kyle Abbott, Chris Morris and Khaya Zondo are other options. 

Meanwhile Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh confirmed leg-spinner Amit Mishra will be available for selection for the fourth ODI despite being summoned by the Bengaluru police over assault allegations.

"Amit Mishra is available for tomorrow and if the management feels he should be playing on this track then he is definitely available for selection," Harbhajan said.