South Africa wins toss and bats in 3rd test vs England

JOHANNESBURG (AP) South Africa won the toss and chose to bat in the third test against England on Thursday, giving the team time to fly in a replacement wicketkeeper after Quinton de Kock was ruled out with injury on the morning of the game.

Dane Vilas was flying to Johannesburg from a domestic match in Port Elizabeth to replace De Kock, who fell at home on Wednesday and woke up Thursday morning with a badly swollen right knee.

Possibly pushed by the absence of a wicketkeeper, new South Africa captain AB de Villiers decided to bat first at the Wanderers despite cool, overcast conditions.

England leads the four-test series 1-0 and is seeking a first series win over South Africa in more than a decade.