Inglis had received positive news about his fractured finger in Perth this week, and will fly to Gqeberha next week to join Australia's Test side and continue his recovery.
There Australian officials will be able to have a closer look at the 31-year-old, before deciding whether he is immediately fit for the second Test or third in Cape Town.
His return will add further intrigue to Australia's selection for the rest of the tour, with Cameron Green also hopeful of returning from an abdominal strain.
Inglis would likely have played in the first Test in Durban after Green was ruled out, if not for the finger injury he suffered in an ODI a week earlier.
Nic Maddinson was ultimately the man to come in after being called up to the squad, before Friday's 33-ball duck after being picked to open.
Maddinson's selection has brought with it waves of criticism from former players, with the 34-year-old still having the second innings to justify his call-up.
If Inglis or Green does return, it would likely mean Matt Renshaw returns to open the batting.
Australia liked what they saw out of the Queensland batting at No.5 in the ODI series, with his ability to remain busy against spin.
Renshaw was able to hold Australia's first innings together in Durban after they slumped to 6-124, with an 86-run partnership with Pat Cummins crucial.
The 30-year-old said after play on Friday he was happy to move up and down the order as required, having last batted No.5 consistently for Queensland in late 2021.
"I just prepare as much as I can for whatever. With the one-dayers ... it shows I can be pretty versatile," Renshaw said.
"For me it's not too much of an issue. It's just waiting to bat. It's probably the toughest part for me and it's been a while since I've done that in red ball.
"We've seen a lot (of movement) in this team with different conditions, Heady (Travis Head) going up to open.
"It's just being pretty versatile and pretty open with what we need to do."
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