Former South Africa fast bowler Roger Telemachus has been told to quit cricket with immediate effect for medical reasons.

The 36-year-old, who currently plays for provincial side Cape Cobras, was sent for tests last week by the union ahead of the upcoming season, which includes the Champions League in India from October 8-23.

His coach Shukri Conrad revealed the veteran paceman had been in contention for a place in the squad, but would no longer be considered following medical advice.

"Obviously Roger has 'retired' a couple of times before, but we saw him fit to bring him back for the Pro20 last summer and he did very well for us," he said.

"He was right up for selection having trained as hard as anyone in the winter months. But sadly he has a medical condition that has deteriorated over the years. As recently as last Thursday we sent him for an angiogram and unfortunately the diagnosis was not particularly good.

"Roger was advised not to play any further competitive sport. He's naturally very disappointed; he played a huge part in getting us to this position of getting into the Champions League."

Telemachus played in 37 one-day internationals for South Africa taking 56 wickets in an eight-year career between 1998 and 2006.

He also played three Twenty20 internationals, the last of which came against Pakistan in 2007.