Makhaya Ntini was dropped from the South African cricket team in a move which could hasten the end of a notable Test career.
The 32 year old didn't travel to the ground after being told that he wasn't in the team for the third test against England at Newlands, the ground where he started his 101-test career against Sri Lanka 12 seasons ago.
Although the team was not announced publicly until shortly before the toss, the players were informed of the selection on Saturday and Ntini was given the option of returning home, according to team spokesman Michael Owen-Smith.
Ntini's axeing had been widely anticipated after he performed poorly in the first two tests against England.
In the 2008 calendar year he took only 13 wickets in six Tests at an average of 57.00 and commetators believed that a loss of pace had reduced his effectiveness.