Concerns over burnout and a lack of red-ball cricket will see Shane Watson return early from the Champions League Twenty20 in South Africa, according to Cricket Australia (CA).

Watson's situation is being monitored closely ahead of the Test series with No.1-ranked South Africa which begins on November 9.

CA boss James Sutherland said on Monday a final call had not been made on Watson but he expects the allrounder to return home soon, the plan being to give him a rest and hopefully a Sheffield Shield game for NSW before tackling the Proteas at the Gabba.

"We are reviewing his load and circumstance very closely ... I think it's reasonably well known that it's likely he won't see the tournament out," he said.

"We're concerned about Shane. His injury record is unfortunate and what that tells us is that we need to monitor him and manage him very carefully and we are."

Watson made a dashing 46 for T20 side the Sydney Sixers against the Chennai Super Kings in Johannesburg in the Champions League early on Monday morning and will travel to Cape Town to face Yorkshire on Tuesday before he is expected to return home.

The 31-year-old has been prolific for Australia with the bat and ball in all formats of cricket together with being a star of the Indian Premier League.

"I don't know the specifics but the priority will be for him to get himself right as possible. That's one, to give him a little bit of a break, then give him a little bit of therapy and whatever else he needs.

"But then also to really focus on getting him right to play Test cricket which he hasn't played for a long time - which most of our players haven't played for a long time ... give him the opportunity to play a Shield game and at least play with the red ball.

"He's a fantastic player ... he's the sort of player who can win series and certainly win Test matches for Australia."