Herschelle Gibbs has been dropped from the South African squad for the remaining two Tests against New Zealand, Cricket South Africa (CSA) said on Saturday.
Opening batsman Gibbs, who has played 77 Tests, scored 364 runs at an average of 30.33 in 12 innings against Australia this season.
Gibbs was dismissed for six and two in the first Test against New Zealand and last scored a century in the fourth Test against England in Johannesburg in January last year.
"Herschelle and I had a meeting yesterday and we agreed that a break and a fresh start next season will do him a world of good," a CSA release quoted selection convenor Haroon Lorgat as saying.
Gibbs's departure could see Hashim Amla return to the Test side after playing the last of his three Tests against England in Cape Town in January 2005.
South Africa won the first Test against New Zealand by 128 runs. The second Test starts in Cape Town on Thursday.
Squad: Graeme Smith (captain), Hashim Amla, Nicky Boje, Mark Boucher, AB de Villiers, Boeta Dippenaar, Andrew Hall, Jacques Kallis, Andre Nel, Makhaya Ntini, Shaun Pollock, Ashwell Prince, Jacques Rudolph, Dale Steyn.
