South Africa's AB de Villiers plays a shot during the first One-day International (ODI) cricket match between the West Indies and South Africa in the Tri-Nation Series in Georgetown, Guyana on June 3, 2016. AFP/Getty Images

South Africa have suffered a huge blow with skipper AB de Villiers ruled out of home one-day internationals and away Test series against Australia due to an elbow injury.

The Proteas’ best batsman failed a fitness test on Tuesday, Cricket South Africa announced, and he’ll have an elbow operation next week.

Australia’s five-match ODI series against South Africa starts in Centurion on Friday while they will host the Proteas in three Tests in November.

It’s likely that Faf du Plessis, who filled in for de Villiers in last Sunday’s ODI win over Ireland, will be elevated to captain for the Australia series.