ADELAIDE: Key allrounder Jacques Kallis will bat again if required for South Africa in the second Test in Adelaide but is unlikely to be fit for the final Test in Perth, team officials said on Saturday.

Kallis scored a fighting 58 in 109 painful minutes at the crease to help South Africa overcome the follow on in their first innings of 388 in reply to Australia's 550.

He batted without the aid of a runner and was unable to run quickly between wickets. Instead he hit 10 boundaries and a six in his determined knock.

“His initial hamstring strain had responded very well, so much so that he was almost symptom free,” team manager Mohammed Moosajee told reporters after the third day's play.

“We knew he would always be able to bat. The challenge was what's going to happen when he runs.

“So it's safe to say he's probably aggravated his injury by running and batting. He's still probably going to have to bat in the second innings.”

Moosajee said if Kallis bats as expected in the Proteas second innings he would unlikely be fit for next week's third and final Test of the series in Perth.

“He will bat in the second innings but it's unlikely he'll respond in time to be fit to take his place in the Perth Test match because of the quick three-day turnaround,” he said.

Moosajee said Cricket South Africa's selectors were looking into the possibility of sending a player over to Australia as cover for Kallis in that eventuality, but no decision had yet been made.

Moosajee said paceman Vernon Philander was responding well after a lower back complaint prevented him from playing in the Adelaide Test.

“Vernon's responding well, he should be available for selection come Perth,” he said.