Johnson: Win can be first step of England reign

MARTIN JOHNSON believes victory over South Africa today would be a seminal moment in his quest to re-establish England as the dominant force in world rugby.

Ten years ago, the Springboks arrived at Twickenham as world champions and one win away from setting a new record for consecutive Test victories.

England won 13-7. It was their first victory over southern hemisphere opposition under Clive Woodward and proved to be the first step in changing the balance of power in world rugby.

England’s victory did not cure their inferiority complex overnight — the Springboks would punish them in the quarter-finals of the 1999 World Cup — but Johnson recognises it in hindsight as the start of a vital process.

Johnson was particularly frustrated after last weekend’s 28-14 defeat to Australia because he felt England had wasted a chance to lay down a marker.

This week, Johnson has urged his young troops to grab the opportunity with both hands. “It would be fantastic. You can look back on teams and identify their first big win and steps along the way. That would certainly be one for us tomorrow,” said Johnson.

“That win in 1998 was our first against the southern hemisphere for about three years and our first under Clive. That was also a newish team.”

England’s record against the Tri-Nations teams since that 2003 triumph has been woeful, with just four wins from 20 Tests.

The Springboks arrive at Twickenham on another record run, after five straight victories over England including last autumn’s World Cup final. England’s starting XV only has three survivors from that final — Nick Easter, Phil Vickery and Paul Sackey.

Andrew Sheridan has been replaced by Wasps loose-head Tim Payne, who has a prime opportunity to nail down his place after two off weeks for the England pack, while fly-half Danny Cipriani will make only his fourth Test start having been outplayed by opposite number Matt Giteau last Saturday.

Meanwhile much has been made of South Africa’s perceived fatigue this week after coach Peter de Villiers’ admission on Monday that his players were mentally exhausted.

However, lock Bakkies Botha was the latest of a number of players to refute suggestions they were eager to get the game over and done with so they could start their holidays after a long season.

“I’m feeling honoured to wear the number four jersey for the Springboks weekend in, weekend out,” he said.

“After training this morning we know the guys are looking good and looking forward to it.

“We are professional sportsmen and the work’s not done until the whistle blows after 80 minutes. I think this is where the character of the Springboks comes out. For this game in particular the guys will be able to see which guys they can lean on to put down the goods.”

“It’s an honour every time you pull the Springbok jersey over your head and you must be 100% and eager to give everything.”