Kevin Pietersen starts his new job as England captain at The Oval on Tuesday, Live - England v South Africa ...
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Pietersen was unveiled as England's Test and one-day skipper following the resignations of Michael Vaughan and Paul Collingwood on Sunday.
Vaughan has been replaced in the 13-man squad for the final Test by Essex all-rounder Ravi Bopara.
The tourists lead England 2-0 in the four-match series.
And former England skipper Alec Stewart believes Pietersen will get his team-mates rallying behind him from the start.
"You've got to make sure you command the respect of your players and not demand it," Stewart told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"I'm sure Kevin will give a speech, talk to players individually, talk to them as a squad and I don't see there being too many problems first up.
"Him and Andrew Flintoff are the two biggest names in that England team and they've got to make sure they work for each other - Andrew will play for Kevin as much as he plays for England."
Pietersen will be able to seek advice from several players with experience of leading England, including Flintoff, Collingwood and Andrew Strauss.
But he must do without the services of his predecessor Vaughan, although Pietersen said he hoped he will soon be able to welcome him back into the England fold.
"I respect Michael's decision to take a few weeks off," said Pietersen. "I believe he is still a fantastic batter, one of the best batters we've got in this country.
"He'll go back into county cricket without any stresses or strains and he'll score as many runs as he can and I'm sure Michael will be back in this England team."
Shane Warne admits his former Hampshire team-mate Kevin Pietersen will need to "reconsider his whole outlook" as he begins his term as skipper.
The former Australia spinner told the Times: "Kevin Pietersen now stands at a crossroads in his life as well as his career.
"Being England captain will take up more time than he can imagine and he will need to reconsider his whole outlook.
"Within the game worldwide he has a reputation as being an individual, but to be successful a leader must be a giver not a taker - to his team, fringe players, sponsors, the public, everyone."
Warne added: "Hopefully his captaincy will be similar to his batting: positive, instinctive and entertaining."
Flintoff, too has urged Pietersen not to alter the way he bats in his new role.
"Kevin has got to play the way he wants to play. Look at his stats. He is better than anyone (in the side) so why would you change? Let him go and do his thing.
"He is a fine player. He has got confidence by the bucketload and he will probably take that into his captaincy. The one thing we don't want is for him to change.
"He averages 50-odd with the bat in both forms of the game and he is an unbelievable talent.
"Everyone will ask 'will his batting be affected?' but knowing Kevin, he will probably average 70 as captain."
(BBC)
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