Steve Smith has been cleared of serious neck damage and is expected to be fit for Australia’s first Test against New Zealand in December.

The 37-year-old was forced to miss the decisive third Test against South Africa in Cape Town after suffering from a sore neck over several days.

Smith had been dealing with the issue since the second Test in Gqeberha but after appearing in discomfort in the nets on match eve, Smith again struggled to bat properly with his neck heavily bandaged on the first morning, and was scratched from the Australia XI as one of four changes.

Scans confirmed Smith has suffered an injury to a cervical facet joint, which helps stabilise movement in the neck.

"Steve will continue to receive treatment and rehabilitation, with a full return to availability anticipated for the upcoming home test series against New Zealand," Cricket Australia said in a statement.

Australia will host New Zealand across four Tests, beginning on 9 December in Perth.

All-rounder Cameron Green returned from injury to fill Smith's usual number four spot in Cape Town, though Smith had been forced to drop down the order in the second innings as Australia sought, and failed, to save the Test in Gqeberha.

With the deciding Test underway, Australia reached 330 for four by the close of the second day in response to South Africa's first innings of 329.

Additional reporting from Reuters