After suffering a huge defeat in the first Test at Lord’s, South Africa suffered another big blow as their head coach Russell Domingo returned home for family reasons for the second time during the ongoing tour. The 43-year old’s rushed to his native country after his mother was readmitted to hospital and placed on life support following the car accident she was involved in last month.

Domingo had flown back to South Africa during the T20 series against England late last month and had joined the team during the tour match in Worcester after his mother was discharged.

Domingo, meanwhile, has confirmed he had reapplied for his post as South Africa’s head coach following weeks of uncertainty surrounding his future. The current Proteas coach was interviewed by Cricket South Africa-appointed five-man panel including former India coach Gary Kirsten. The panel has been given the responsibility of recommending a candidate for the head coach’s post.

Domingo’s absence, nevertheless, will make an impact on South Africa’s preparation for the second Test starting at Trent Bridge on July 14. The Dean Elgar-led side was thrashed by 211 runs in the first Test by Joe Root’s men. Set a target of 331, the Proteas fell like a pack of cards to be all out for a paltry 119 in 36.4 overs. Off-spinner Moeen Ali was the destructor-in-chief, taking 6 for 53 to deflate South Africa’s batting lineup.

Meanwhile, the return of skipper Faf du Plessis will give South Africa a big boost after the heavy loss. Du Plessis missed the Lord’s Test following the birth of his first child but returned to England over the weekend and was seen at the ground during the just-concluded Test.