The 32-year-old was a conspicuous absentee for much of England’s recently-concluded tour of South Africa, playing in only the first of the four-Test series before missing the entire limited-overs leg.

Injury woes have meant Steyn has played just two of the Proteas’ last eight Tests but, despite two months on the sidelines following his latest issue, he is now raring to go for the three-match Twenty20 series against Australia, which gets under way at Durban on Friday.

Steyn has passed the necessary fitness tests, including playing a club match last weekend, which is a timely boost for South Africa with the ICC World Twenty20 getting under way in India later this month.

“A hungry, fit, energised Dale is a massive plus for us,” South Africa head coach Russell Domingo said.

“He hasn’t played for South Africa for a long period of time and he has come here with a great attitude.

“He is desperate to play, desperate to do well, he wants to win a World Cup, he wants to be involved in all formats of the game, so his energy levels are right up there and that bodes really well for us.

“The big thing for these type of players is making sure the hunger and passion is there, he has definitely got that at the moment. His skills are always going to be there, he is desperate to play for South Africa, and that is great news as a coach.”

Without Steyn, South Africa succumbed to defeat against England in the Test series but hit back from losing the first two one-dayers to win the next three before triumphing in both Twenty20s.

Domingo is eager to build on that against Australia, adding: “Winning is important, we want to go to the World Cup confident, with a good style of play and some good performances behind us.”

-PA