Steyn set for South Africa Test return

Injury-prone South African fast bowler Dale Steyn appears fit and could play in the first Test against hosts Sri Lanka, skipper Faf du Plessis says.

The 35-year-old was impressive in the nets and was included in the squad for the Test match starting in Galle on Thursday, Du Plessis said in Colombo.

The veteran was given a solid work out on day one of the Proteas' two-day warm-up game against a Sri Lanka Board XI on Saturday, bowling 12 wicketless overs on an unfriendly pitch in humid conditions.

The Sri Lanka team scored 287 - thanks to 92 from Angelo Matthews - while Tabraiz Shamsi was the most productive of the South Africa bowlers, taking 5-45, while Lungi Ngidi was the only paceman to take a wicket.

"He is back for the squad. He looks really good in the nets. Its about getting his fitness levels back up to where we need them to be for Test cricket," du Plessis said on Friday, adding Steyn was likely to play.

Steyn needs just three more scalps to break Shaun Pollock's record as South Africa's highest Test wicket taker. 

South Africa plays two Tests against Sri Lanka in Galle from July 12 and the second in Colombo from July 20.

Steyn, 35, has missed 27 of South Africa's most recent 32 Test matches. 

He has been plagued by groin, shoulder and heel problems and was unable to complete the most recent Tests he started, against Australia in November 2016 and India in January this year.