Rugby Union: England Running on Empty As Four More Withdraw From Boks Tour

England's tour of South Africa is in danger of descending into complete disarray after four more players were ruled out of Saturday's second Test against South Africa.

Andy Farrell, James Simpson-Daniel and Mike Brown are all unavailable due to the stomach virus that has affected England since they arrived in South Africa two weeks ago, while flanker Andy Hazell misses out because of a knee problem suffered during last weekend's record 58-10 first Test defeat.

The four men join David Strettle, who has gone back to England to recuperate from the severe vomiting bug that led to him being admitted to hospital last week, and injured Gloucester pair Iain Balshaw and Nick Wood in making an early exit from the tour.

Coach Brian Ashton admitted his side were down to the bare bones. "We thought that Mike Brown and James Simpson-Daniel had recovered yesterday, but that is not the case," he said. "I don't really know what to say. It doesn't seem this bug will leave the camp. But I am not making any excuses before the game - I am just reporting the facts."

Such is England's state of strife that uncapped Bath full-back Nick Abendanon will fly out from London tonight and could effectively go straight into the match-day 22.

Asked about the prospect of Abendanon making his debut at such short notice, Ashton added: "It is probably the best way to do it, he won't have enough time to think about it."

England are likely to face the Springboks with changes in the forwards, where prop Matt Stevens and lock Roy Winters are expected to feature in the starting line-up.

Skipper Jason Robinson is battling to overcome fluid on his swollen right knee, and England head coach Brian Ashton will not announce his starting line-up until Friday lunchtime - barely 24 hours before kick-off - at the earliest.