Write off battered ’Boks at your peril, warns Johnson

ENGLAND captain Martin Johnson is braced for another shuddering physical confrontation with South Africa at Twickenham on Saturday.

The Springboks have limped into London following record defeats against France and Scotland. They have also been written off by their own critical media and given little chance of upsetting an England team buoyant following victories over world champions Australia and Tri-Nations title holders New Zealand.

Johnson, though, who will win his 70th cap on Saturday, sees it differently.

The Leicester lock has been involved in enough England-Springbok clashes to expect another fiercely-fought encounter.

Although England won the last two Twickenham Tests against South Africa relatively comfortably, both games were noted for their bone-crunching physical nature.

‘‘They have always been probably the most physical side in world rugby,’’ Johnson said.

‘‘They are very physical in their scrummaging and the tackle area, and games against them have always been ones that you remember in terms of their toughness. If you win the physical battle, then you win the game.

‘‘South Africa have almost got nothing to lose on Saturday. If you are told that you haven’t got a chance to win, then you are going to be very committed.

‘‘South Africa are a very dangerous team. In a lot of ways, it is going to be our toughest game of the three.’’

An England victory would make it an unprecedented four in a row against South Africa, and eighth in succession over the Tri-Nations heavyweights.

It would also be England’s 18th successive Twickenham triumph, leaving them in fine shape ahead of this season’s Six Nations Championship, followed by summer Tests away to both New Zealand and Australia.

But Johnson is looking no further ahead than this weekend and is wary of the threat South Africa will present.

‘‘The Springboks have got a lot of pride, and we will be thinking about their mindset. Teams show character in that type of situation.’’

While England have received widespread acclaim for defeating New Zealand and Australia, he is aware his team only recorded a combined winning margin of four points and conceded seven tries.

England’s comeback against Australia though, when they trailed by 12 points midway through the second period, will linger long in the memory.

‘‘It has given the team a bit of confidence that we can do something like that against a team like Australia,’’ Johnson added.

Like England head coach Clive Woodward, Johnson does not see Saturday’s encounter as having any real relevance in terms of next year’s World Cup. England will next play South Africa in Perth, Australia, on October 18, 2003, a pivotal World Cup group game which will go a long way towards deciding both team’s destiny.

‘‘If we win or lose on Saturday, then we won’t arrive at the World Cup thinking that we lost last November against South Africa at Twickenham.’’

Meanwhile, England number eight Richard Hill did not train yesterday because of a light cold, but team doctor Simon Kemp confirmed that was purely a precautionary measure.