It's do-or-die time for Proteas

South Africa go into the fourth Test against England at the Wanderers on Thursday with the fourth different fast-bowling line-up in the series.

And they will be hoping the pitch provided for the must-win contest will be a bit more sporty than the Newlands track, which got slower and slower as the recently completed third Test wore on.

The importance of the new ball for taking wickets in Cape Town was perhaps skewed, as there was very little on offer for the quick bowlers once the shine was gone. This was so much the case after the Proteas had taken the second new ball in England's second innings, that it was almost possible to predict a draw after Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel had not been able to take the wicket of either Ian Bell or Paul Collingwood in their first spells.

The late breakthrough, initiated by spinner JP Duminy, got the Proteas close, but they now have to go full bore in Johannesburg to try to level the series 1-1.

In the climax of the Newlands Test, the third member of the seam division for the Proteas, Friedel de Wet, was a passenger. Now news about his back ailment, after scans in Johannesburg, is not good, and he will probably not be in the reckoning for the final Test.

De Wet has had back injuries before, most recently suffering a stress fracture which kept him out of action for the first half of last season.

Proteas captain Graeme Smith pronounced himself pleased at the return to full capacity of Dale Steyn and Jacques Kallis at Newlands, but he will likely lead his side into the Wanderers Bullring with the second Test debutant fast bowler in the series, after De Wet gained his first cap in the drawn game at Centurion.

Makhaya Ntini took five wickets in an MTN 40 game for the Warriors in Bloemfontein yesterday, but he is not in the Proteas squad of 14 players.

The two back-up seamers in the group which assembles in Johannesburg today are Wayne Parnell and Ryan McLaren.

Of the two Parnell, despite average form in domestic cricket this season, must be the front-runner, given his proven ability as a strike bowler in one-day colours for the Proteas.

All-rounder McLaren is regarded as a very skilful bowler, but may lack the pace to put England's batsmen under pressure. As a left-hander, too, Parnell offers variety in the attack.

As far as the Wanderers pitch is concerned, groundsman Chris Scott has said the strip is one of those used for the Champions Trophy in September, and will again provide help for the quick bowlers.

Scott told Cricinfo: "I said before the Champions Trophy that the pitches would be more lively".

Scott added that one-day pitches in general were so loaded towards the batsmen that bowlers almost had no chance.

"I actually enjoy doing a Test wicket because it allows you to create something that is going to have a balance and I love seeing Test cricket in that sense. The bowlers have got something to work with. There's a bit more grass on the pitch, and over five days - if it lasts that long - the pitch will deteriorate," added Scott.

As far as the Proteas batting is concerned, it is not likely that changes will be made, although opener Ashwell Prince is due a big score.

England are unlikely to change their line-up. The six batsmen, wicketkeeper and four bowlers recipe has worked for them in South Africa, and if the pitch for this week is a little more bowler-friendly than the Newlands version, there would be little point in beefing up their fast-bowling stocks.