South Africa's problems continued with news that skipper Graeme Smith will miss the third one-day international on Friday with a tennis elbow problem.
Smith has battled through the condition for much of the summer but will not be risked at The Oval, despite his side needing a win to keep the series alive.
The 27-year-old is set to miss the rest of the series and will see a surgeon to determine if he needs an operation.
Jacques Kallis is expected to captain the side in Smith's absence.
The all-rounder quit the vice-captaincy last year after he was axed from the Proteas' Twenty20 squad.
Kallis, who has also suffered tennis elbow problems, which in his case required surgery, has captained his country in the past, filling in for Smith on two separate occasions in 2006 and 2007 and taking charge of seven one-day internationals.
South Africa have lost the opening two matches of the series, the latest a humiliating 10-wicket defeat at Trent Bridge after the tourists could only score 83.
Smith was booed by the crowd at the post-match presentation, and apologised for his side's dramatic collapse.
Wicketkeeper Mark Boucher has given his backing to Kallis, who he believes is capable of helping South Africa out of the current crisis.
"I know he gave up the vice-captaincy a little while ago because there were a few issues there and there probably still are a few issues," Boucher said.
"But if it's as a stand-in and an emergency I don't think he will say no to helping the team out."
Boucher, who has led South Africa in the past, is expected to be Kallis' vice-captain on Friday and he said his country still have it all to play for with three games to play.
"I said to the guys in the changing room after the game that not all is lost," he added.
"There's no reason why we can't change momentum. It's going to take a massive effort from the senior players but it's an opportunity for us to stand up and be counted.
England paceman Steve Harmison is convinced South Africa will be a different proposition following what he termed a "freak" defeat.
"Everything we did went well and everything they did went wrong," he said.
"They will come back strong at us. Smith is out but I'm sure he will be in there making sure his side come out fighting."
Harmison, who has made a triumphant return to the one-day side having announced his retirement in 2006, dismissed suggestions that he only returned to the team to play in the forthcoming lucrative Stanford matches in the West Indies.
"I've always been criticised," he said. "I get criticised for changing my socks.
"I have come back for cricketing reasons. The selectors, coach and captain know how I feel on certain issues but I am available for the winter.
"Three months ago I never saw myself playing one-day cricket again but I have realised a few things, and to play international cricket well you need to continue playing.
"The Durham captain (Dale Benkenstein) made an interesting point when he said 'you're better off getting injured playing too much than not playing enough'."
TEAMS
ENGLAND (from): Kevin Pietersen (captain), Matt Prior, Ian Bell, Owais Shah, Andrew Flintoff, Paul Collingwood, Ravi Bopara, Luke Wright, Samit Patel, Steve Harmison, Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Alastair Cook, Graeme Swann, Tim Bresnan.
SOUTH AFRICA (from): Jacques Kallis (captain), Hashim Amla, Herschelle Gibbs, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Mark Boucher, Albie Morkel, Vernon Philander, Johan Botha, Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn, Makhaya Ntini, Justin Ontong.
Umpires: Nigel Llong and Simon Taufel.