South Africa have suffered a dual blow ahead of their limited-overs tour of Australia next month, with both Hashim Amla and JP Duminy ruled out through injury.

On Monday, it was confirmed Amla would miss the tour of Australia, having failed to recover from the finger injury that ruled him out of their series against Zimbabwe.

On Tuesday, Duminy was added to the injury ward, requiring shoulder surgery on an injury to his right shoulder.

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But in good news, veteran bowlers Dale Steyn and Imran Tahir will make the trip, which will see the Proteas play three ODIs and three T20Is in November – adding to the strike power of fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi.

The Proteas have yet to name their squad for the ODI series beginning in Perth on November 4, but with the World Cup less than 12 months away the time for experimentation is coming to an end, according to coach Ottis Gibson.

Speaking after rain washed out his team's final Twenty20 international against Zimbabwe in Benoni on Sunday, Gibson said the short limited-overs tour of Australia would be a crucial part of the build-up to next year's World Cup in England.

"We want to go there with an attitude of trying to win," said Gibson. "The squad that we pick will reflect that and reflect our feeling on the formula and the way we want to play cricket."

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South Africa were seldom under pressure in three ODIs and two T20Is against Zimbabwe but tried to play the kind of positive cricket that will be needed for more demanding encounters.

"There is a lot being said about being positive. The key is having the will to stick with it even when things get tough," said Gibson.

Gibson said he’d been excited by what he’d seen from Steyn in his one-day return.

"I know what Rabada and Ngidi can do but for me the real excitement was watching Dale Steyn bowling in the second game in Bloemfontein," he said.

"It was fantastic to see him back to that level again, bowling quickly with that skill and accuracy.”

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South Africa's squad for Australia will be announced on Thursday.

"There are a lot of guys we have in our thoughts who will be in the squad to Australia," said Gibson.

After three one-day internationals in Australia, South Africa will have five-match home series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

- With AFP