England captain Andrew Strauss insists there will be no question of divided loyalties amongst the South Africa-born members of his squad when they face their nation of birth.

Four members of England’s 16-man party for the Test leg of their tour have South African connections, including Strauss and wicket-keeper Matt Prior who were both born in Johannesburg. But it is the presence of batsmen Kevin Pietersen and Jonathan Trott which is set to be a big talking point.

Pietersen received persistent verbal abuse from crowds during the one-day leg of England’s tour of South Africa five years ago. And Trott, whose century on his Test debut at the Oval in August played a key role in England regaining the Ashes, is set to face a similar reaction.

Strauss, speaking at a Heathrow Airport hotel on Saturday ahead of England’s departure, insisted where players were born and brought up was not an issue: “In terms of trying to win the Test series it won’t be a big issue but it might bubble away in the background. All I can say is the selectors sit down and pick the best 15 England qualified players.

“The fact some of them have been born out of these shores is of no consequence. In order to make it to Test level you must show a lot of determination, hunger and desire. That Kevin and Jonathan have come over later in their lives is of no consequence.”

Strauss said facing South Africa would be tougher than regaining the Ashes. “Playing South Africa is probably the hardest assignment there is. It’s harder than winning the Ashes at home,” he said. “In pure cricketing terms this is as hard as it gets right now.”