Dean Elgar: Lack of Test matches 'disappointing' for South Africa

Meanwhile, Proteas national team will face Australia in the third and final Test starting on Tuesday (23:30 GMT), having already lost the series but still with a faint hope of reaching the Test Championship final.

The first test ended in two days as South Africa lost the second by one set and 182 runs.

"Over the next two years, we only have 12 (Trials) to play. Many years ago we were playing 12 players a year which was good," Elgar said.

"We can't make these decisions.

"I guess the game admins at home believe that we need to establish something in order to have income in the future.

"So maybe in a few years we can fit more ongoing testing forward into the schedule. It's really hard to be part of it, but you have to deal with it as you see fit."

South Africa have, in the current series, already slipped from second to fourth place in their quest for a top-two finish at the World Test Championship - and with it a first appearance in the finals.< /p>

In February, West Indies travel to South Africa for a tour that includes only two tests.

After that, the next test match for the Proteas won't be until December.

"It's a big year for us every year. The disappointing factor, that we're not playing more tests this year, is that a lot of players would like to play a lot more," Elgar explained.

"I don't think a lot is going in our favor, but we have to live with what we can do.

"You must play each test as if it were the last."

The inaugural World Test Championship saw New Zealand beat India in the inaugural 2021 final. This year's competition concludes with the final in England at The Oval in June.< /p>