Cape Town – The Proteas go into day three of the third Test against England at The Oval in a heap of trouble at 126/8, still 28 runs away from avoiding the follow-on. 

And, to make matters worse, they may have to complete their innings without allrounder Vernon Philander. 

As the Proteas crumbled on Friday, they did so without being able to call on Philander with the bat. 

The 32-year-old bowled just four overs on day two before he was rushed off to hospital as the stomach ailment that has bugged him all Test got worse. 

Temba Bavuma (34*) and Morne Morkel (2*) are currently at the wicket for the South Africans, but it is hard to see Morkel lasting too long and Philander is likely to be desperately needed. 

But, the word coming out of the Proteas camp on Friday was uncertain.

“Vernon Philander has been admitted to hospital and is being treated for a probable viral infection,” Proteas team manager Mohammed Moosajee said.

“He will remain in hospital overnight on intravenous fluids for rehydration and will be reassessed in the morning to determine his participation in the current match.”