South Africa batsman JP Duminy has been ruled out for six months after he suffered an Achilles injury during the warm-down session following day one of the first Test with Australia.

The 28-year-old was kicking a rugby ball with his teammates on the Brisbane outfield when he suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon.

The injury will require surgery and Duminy is now likely to be out of action until the middle of next year.

South Africa will now only have 10 batsmen available for their two innings, but they will be able to bring in a substitute fielder for the remainder of the match.

Duminy had been expected to play a part in South Africa's bowling attack after Graeme Smith opted to leave out specialist spin-bowler Imran Tahir.