Mixed messages have emerged about the camaraderie between the two teams, complicated by pointed public remarks about England's tactics from the hosts' axis of power Graeme Smith and Mickey Arthur.

But while the protagonists' main spokesmen appear to have enjoyed sparring off the pitch, obvious common ground exists between some of the opposing players.

South Africa pace spearhead Dale Steyn and England batting find Jonathan Trott, for example, find themselves on different sides of the fence yet are countrymen by birth and were once team-mates at Warwickshire.

Strauss is stopping well short of ordering a cessation in relations off the pitch - but insists England will brook nothing so cordial once they set about in earnest protecting a proud recent record of success in the 50-over format against South Africa.

"Regardless of what happens off the field, when we step across that white line there's going to be no friendliness," said the England captain.

Should South African minds become confused about where they stand, that is merely a handy bi-product for Strauss.

"If that's a problem for them, then that's a great thing really," he suggests.

"If South Africa feel that's something they need to address then fine."

Coach Arthur's remarks about England's deployment or otherwise of young leg-spinner Adil Rashid - still expected to play in the day-nighter, despite the arrival of James Tredwell as cover for the injured Graeme Swann - may mean South Africa have lost focus, Strauss hints.

"If by spending a lot of time looking at the opposition you're kind of taking your eye off your own team to a certain extent then that can only be a good thing for us," he said.

"I'm not saying that's what they've done so far. But we're not spending a lot of time thinking about them, for that very reason.

"We feel we've got enough to worry about in our own team, and enough to concentrate on there.

"I'm very happy with our squad. I don't think I've ever seen an England squad more motivated to go out and win games of cricket."