After losing the first one-day International on Sunday, England will look to level the series when they face South Africa on Sunday.
Just like the first ODI, the match will be held at the Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein, where the hosts will have the chance to win the three-match series with a game to spare.
Match preview
The series has taken on greater importance for South Africa, who need to complete a series whitewash and win two ODIs against the Netherlands in March and April if they are to automatically qualify for the World Cup, which takes place in India later this year.
Their quest to claim the final qualifying place in the World Cup Super League got off to an ideal start on Friday, as they fought back with the ball to claim a 27-run victory.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, South Africa set England a total of 298, thanks to Rassie van der Dussen's composed 111 of 117 balls and a valuable 53 from David Miller.
The Proteas looked to be heading to defeat when England racked up 146 for the opening partnership, and the tourists still looked well placed at 196-3 in the 30th over.
However, South Africa's fine bowling prevented the visitors from reaching the target, with Anrich Nortje and Sisanda Magala picking up seven wickets between them, helping their side claim a crucial victory that gives them the chance to win the series on Sunday.
England, meanwhile, will have to pick themselves up from a disappointing result, where a superb Jason Roy century proved to be in vain.
Following a poor spell of form, which led to him being left out of the T20 World Cup squad, Roy's place in the white-ball squad had been called into question, but he ended a drought of 14 international innings without a half-century with a free-flowing 113 from 91 balls.
Roy's opening partner Dawid Malan chipped in with 59, which appeared to set England on their way to victory, but England lost their final six wickets for 49 runs to slump to a frustrating defeat.
Apart from Roy and Malan, captain Jos Buttler was the only other England player to score over 30, and the middle to lower order will need to come to the fore if the tourists are to level the series on Sunday.
After failing to win any of their last three ODI series, Buttler's side will be keen to mount a turnaround in South Africa as they aim to build momentum ahead of their 50-over World Cup defence later this year.
Team News
Following their victory in the ODI, South Africa may decide that their best path for another win on Sunday is to go with the same side.
Quinton de Kock and captain Temba Bavuma are expected to continue to open the batting, with Van der Dussen ready to come in at three to anchor the innings.
Nortje's fiery pace bowling did the trick in the first ODI, and after finishing with figures of 4-62, he will be confident that he can play another match-winning role on Sunday.
As for the tourists, Jofra Archer made his long-awaited comeback from injury to feature in the first ODI, picking up one wicket from an expensive 10 overs that cost 81 runs, and having only returned to action, England may decide against playing him for the second time in three days.
Sam Curran starred with the ball for England, finishing with 3-35, and while the left-arm seamer will retain his place in the side, Reece Topley and Chris Woakes are waiting in the wings should England decide to rotate their bowling attack.
In regards to the batting lineup, Phil Salt could be brought into the side, which could see Ben Duckett or Harry Brook make way.
South Africa squad:
Temba Bavuma (capt), Quinton de Kock, Heinrich Klaasen, Rassie van der Dussen, Keshav Maharaj, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Sisanda Magala, Janneman Malan, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Wayne Parnell, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi
England squad:
Jos Buttler (capt), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Jason Roy, Phil Salt, Olly Stone, Reece Topley, David Willey, Chris Woakes
Series so far
First ODI: South Africa win by 27 runs
South Africa - 298-7 (50 overs)
England - 271 all out (44.2 overs)
We say: England to win
South Africa demonstrated great character to fight back and win the first ODI, but England will be motivated to make amends, and we think a stronger performance from the middle order will help them level the series on Sunday.
body check tags ::
Previews by email
