Andrew Strauss has warned South Africa they are in for a shock if they think England cannot 'intimidate' them without Andrew Flintoff.

England take their first steps back into Test cricket on Wednesday since their Ashes-clinching win at The Oval almost four months ago.

It could hardly be a much tougher assignment either than away to South Africa, who have the pedigree of a team only just toppled from their number one world ranking position and the obvious motivation to try to regain it.

More importantly, Graeme Smith's hosts will be intent on proving again in this four-match series starting at Centurion that - irrespective of International Cricket Council rankings - they are England's superiors.

Makhaya Ntini suggested that, with Flintoff's post-Ashes retirement, England have lost the one player who can intimidate world-class opponents.

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Strauss takes a different view.

"We've had to deal with him not being around quite a lot in the last few years," the England captain noted, of the lynchpin all-rounder who was regularly forced out by injury towards the end of his Test career.

"It's nothing new - although this time it's more permanent.

"But maybe that's a good thing, because we aren't sidetracked over whether he will come back."

Strauss acknowledges the advantages which came with having Flintoff in his team - but is confident England have developing resources to offset his absence.

"We are obviously going to miss a guy of that quality, and the balance of the side is affected," he accepts.

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"But as for him being the only player who can intimidate South Africa, if they feel that, then I think that's a good thing for us - because we have some very good cricketers who can surprise them over the coming weeks."

Among them will be Oval man of the match Stuart Broad - the closest to a ready-made like-for-like Flintoff replacement - pace spearhead James Anderson, new batting find Jonathan Trott and, of course, Kevin Pietersen.

The latter has had to deal with some 'mere-mortal' vulnerability so far on this tour, trying to re-establish himself after four months out injured - with the added complication of returning, for the second time in England colours, to the country of his birth. "KP found himself in quite an unfamiliar situation at the start of this tour," said Strauss.

"He's been playing cricket continuously, and it was the first time he's had some time away and has had to find his feet again.

"I think that has taken some adjusting to - and you have to build up through the gears."

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A first half-century since his comeback, in a warm-up match at East London last week, hinted at Pietersen's readiness after all for this huge examination of his talent and resolve

"I'm very happy with the way he's been going about things - and he looked better and better through the warm-up game," added Strauss.

"KP being the type of person he is, he will want to have a massive impact on this series. When you combine that motivation with his obvious skills it's a pretty good recipe."

South Africa, meanwhile, have their own champion player still recovering from injury and unable to fire on all cylinders.

Although Jacques Kallis will be able to play just as a batsman, having missed the recent one-day international series completely because of a broken rib, Strauss discounts the notion that the all-time great all-rounder may have difficulty adapting to one role only.

"I don't think Jacques Kallis and 'mentally vulnerable' go together that well," he smiled.

"He's proved what a quality player he is as a batsman. I think we can exploit the fact he can only perform one of his roles, perhaps, but if he can only use is bat he'll be keen to do that."

England's own injury troubles appear to be under control, Strauss confident in the medical staff's judgment that Anderson is fit despite his mystery knee injury and reporting off-spinner Graeme Swann's side strain is a feasible future concern rather than an immediate one.

Whoever takes the field, on a pitch which wore a curiously green tinge on Tuesday but is expected to look less alarming by Wednesday morning, Strauss has great faith in his staff.

They are briefed to meet South Africa's aggression but to do so intelligently. "I'm keen for players to stand up and be counted in pressure situations - and if you aren't willing to do that you won't survive very long in Test cricket," Strauss points out.

"But it has to be done with thoughtfulness and be done smartly.

"There's no point in getting carried away. It needs to be calculated and controlled."