Pollock suffered blows on both hands while batting during the tense last afternoon of the drawn second Test in Durban Thursday.

With South Africa battling to save the match, Pollock was struck by successive balls from England fast bowler Steve Harmison. He needed treatment on the field and underwent ice therapy while the rest of his team were having a day off Friday.

The injury that most concerned the South African team management was to his right index finger but team spokesman Gerald de Kock said: "He's in a bit of pain but he will play."

Pollock is crucial to South Africa's chances of drawing level in the five-match series. England lead 1-0 after winning the first Test in Port Elizabeth.

South Africa have relied heavily on Pollock and Makhaya Ntini to take wickets during the past year when bowling opposition sides out has proved difficult.

The problem was emphasised in Durban when England were bowled out for 139 in the first innings but stormed back by scoring 570 for seven declared in their second innings to put the pressure back on South Africa.

South African coach Ray Jennings admitted that his side had missed a golden chance to win.

"We will have to think about how we use our bowling resources," he said.

There are not many options immediately available, however, because the same squad was picked for the Durban and Cape Town Tests.

Swing bowler Charl Langeveldt may come into the side in place of fast bowler Dale Steyn but left-arm spinner Nicky Boje, who was disappointing in Durban, remains the only spinner.

Whatever combination is picked, a key issue will be to stem the flow of runs from England opener Andrew Strauss, who made 381 runs at an average of 127 in the first two Tests.

Jennings said the spirited batting of the South Africans on the last day in Durban, when they were able to save the game, meant the team were confident going into the next Test. "There was a winning feeling in the dressing room afterwards," he said.

But England captain Michael Vaughan reckons he holds a stronger hand than his counterpart, Graeme Smith.

"What really impresses me is the character of my team and their fighting spirit," said Vaughan. "We've had a fantastic year but we're all committed to continuing this form through into 2005. I've always said it's going to be a closely fought series and that's the way it has turned out.

"We go to Cape Town with the desire to keep the South Africans under pressure. If we can do that I believe we'll get the better of them."

England's only problem is the form of number three batsman Mark Butcher, who has looked out of form despite making 79 in the first innings of the first Test. There may be some discussion about playing Robert Key in his place.

Otherwise it is likely a winning team will be kept together. South Africa, though, have several worries, although they will be boosted by the return of Boeta Dippenaar in their middle order.

Dippenaar, who scored a century in the first Test, could not play in Durban because of a knee injury but he has been passed fit for Cape Town. He will replace Martin van Jaarsveld, who was an emergency replacement in Durban.

Hashim Amla failed twice in Durban and could be replaced by all-rounder Andrew Hall.

TEAMS
SOUTH AFRICA (from): Graeme Smith (captain), Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Rudolph, Jacques Kallis, Boeta Dippenaar, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, Shaun Pollock, Andrew Hall, Nicky Boje, Makhaya Ntini, Dale Steyn, Charl Langeveldt, Thami Tsolekile.

ENGLAND (likely): Michael Vaughan (captain), Marcus Trescothick, Andrew Strauss, Mark Butcher, Graham Thorpe, Andrew Flintoff, Geraint Jones, Ashley Giles, Matthew Hoggard, Simon Jones, Steve Harmison.

Umpires: Steve Bucknor (West Indies) and Darryl Harper (Australia).