Fast bowler Dale Steyn has been rested for South Africa's second ODI against New Zealand and will not travel with the squad to Kimberley.

His exclusion opens the door for fellow right-armer Morne Morkel's return, or the inclusion of spinner Aaron Phangiso at the De Beers Diamond Oval on Tuesday.

Steyn, however, is expected to rejoin the team ahead of the third and final fixture at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom on Friday.

The hosts will be without captain AB de Villiers for the remainder of the three-match affair, which the Kiwis lead one-nil after a one-wicket win in Paarl.

De Villiers was dealt a two-match suspension after his side's over-rate contravention last week.

Batsman Faf du Plessis will lead the team in De Villiers' absence, while the left-handed David Miller has been called up to bolster the middle order.

"Luckily not too long ago I was the captain of the T20I side, so it's still fresh. We obviously have a nice group of experienced players who weren't there in the T20Is and I have the likes of Graeme Smith and Hashim, who are great leaders to assist me," said du Plessis.

"You cannot replace AB, he is one of the world's best batsmen, he will leave a huge gap. It is, however, an opportunity for someone else to step in, and for us to look at our options going forward."