Five members of the Indian cricket team for South Africa [ Images ], including dashing opener Virender Sehwag [ Images ], left in advance for the tour, in Mumbai [ Images ] on Monday.

"Virender Sehwag, Umesh Yadav, Jaidev Unadkat, Cheteshwar Pujara [ Images ] and coach Gary Kirsten departed to South Africa by an early morning flight," a BCCI source said.

The next group, which is expected to include captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni [ Images ] and master batsman Sachin Tendulkar [ Images ], might depart on December 8, the source added.

India [ Images ] is scheduled to play a three-match Test series commencing on December 16 followed by a One-Day International series against the host.