WATCH: Relief and fear as Dale Steyn makes return

South African cricket will hold its collective breath on Wednesday afternoon over a 50-over match being played in Southampton, England.

That’s the setting where Proteas fast bowler Dale Steyn could make his return to competitive cricket for the first time since the New Year’s Test against India at Newlands.

Guess who's here… 😏👌 pic.twitter.com/1kGvfEtvXR

— Hampshire Cricket (@hantscricket) June 5, 2018

The 34-year-old star has been signed by Hampshire on a short-term contract as a way for him to get some game-time under the belt before next month’s tour to Sri Lanka.

Hampshire revealed on its official Twitter account that Steyn was very much in line to play against Somerset.

“Dale has come through nicely and has started bowling at full pace again. The plan for him is to go to the UK  to play a few games for Hampshire and that will almost serve as a fitness test for the Sri Lanka series,” Proteas team doctor Mohammed Moosajee had said last week.

But there will be doubt all round.

Steyn has been ravaged by injuries over the past three years.

After recovering from a “complex” fracture in his bowling shoulder, he seemed ready for bumper international season before frustratingly bruising his heel so badly that he’s been out for five months.

Proteas coach Ottis Gibson had said previously that Steyn was a vital part of South Africa’s plans for the World Cup.