Brian Ashton's problems just keep mounting. Just in case finding a way to bounce back from Saturday's palsied display wasn't enough, he's now got to do without his playmaker and tighthead prop - who just happens to be his captain too.
But South Africa are without two of their most important players and will have to modify the way they play.
Jonny Wilkinson's ankle hasn't recovered in time and although Olly Barkley has been named in the starting line-up for Friday's match with the Springboks he'll need a fitness test on his hip problem.
That's prompted some fanciful talk about Andy Farrell being slotted in at ten. Here's a guy who is regarded as a novice in union terms and who must be one of the slowest threequarters in English history.
Surely Mike Catt is a much better option, at least he's been there and done it at fly half in international games and he could orchestrate attack and defence much better than Farrell.
Vickery's absence, banned for tripping against the USA, is a classic case of shooting one's own foot. Reflex action it may have been but it was also inexcusable.
The fact that he is the skipper too, however, doesn't really pose Ashton too much of a dilemna. His reign is still in its infancy and with Martin Corry, Jason Robinson and possibly Catt in the side they're not short of leaders.
South Africa's treatment of Samoa in their first game was impressive though far from flawless. It came at a cost too.
The citing and subsequent suspension of Schalk Burger will hit them hard. Without the dynamic blindside in their team they are a much more straightforward proposition.
Burger has the ability to off-load in the tackle that gives the Springboks an added dimension in attack, none of his compatriots share that quality.
Another big loss is Jean de Villiers who marshalls the back line. He's out for the tournament and although his replacement Francois Steyn is a very, very good player, he's also error prone and a couple of charges down the middle might reap rewards.
Can anyone else see England beating the Springboks...?