Andrew Strauss has insisted England will go forward to Durban for the second Test against South Africa (South Africa 8/13 draw 3/1 England 3/1 Test Series – Outright) on Boxing Day with their confidence intact.

The Three Lions survived a nail-biting finish on Sunday at Centurion to secure a draw against their hosts thanks to the heroics of number 11 Graham Onions and captain Strauss (10/3 Second Test – Top England Batsman)  was delighted with his side’s fighting qualities under pressure.

England looked good value to claim a stalemate on 169 for three at tea but the second new ball brought five wickets for 13 runs in 11 overs and it was Collingwood and Onions who put on a brave last stand to deny South Africa.

The finish brought back memories of the draw in Cardiff at the start of last summer’s Ashes, and Strauss admitted: ”If we’d lost, it would have hurt us pretty badly.

”But we can be very confident going into Durban, because I think we’ve played some very good cricket here. We had to dig deep a few times, and players were able to do that.

”We’re a confident group, and I don’t think anything has happened in this Test that will knock us considerably.’

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