Virus hampers England preparations

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Although fly-half Jonny Wilkinson returned to training on Wednesday, wings David Strettle and James Simpson-Daniel both sat out the session with identical symptoms to those previously experienced by Wilkinson and flanker Pat Sanderson, among others.

England doctor Simon Kemp said: "The symptoms have affected a small number of the England squad to date. One of the positive features about this sort of viral infection is that it typically develops and settles relatively quickly."

Under-strength England face a tough enough challenge without possible disruption to their team.

They have not won away from home for 15 months, while the Springboks are savouring a feelgood factor generated by two South African teams - the Sharks and Bulls - contesting last Saturday's Super 14 final.

But England number eight Nick Easter is relishing the challenge, saying: "Hopefully, we can match traditional South African forward power with some English forward power, and I am really looking forward to it.

"We've got the jersey at the moment, and possession is 9/10ths of the law, as they say.

"We've got a massive chance to prove what we are about in a southern hemisphere country and in the heartland of South African rugby, which is where the Tests will be played (Bloemfontein and Pretoria)."