Dallaglio aware of Springbok challenge

Lawrence Dallaglio believes England’s World Cup hopes hinge on their revenge mission against old foes South Africa.

Monday’s draw for the 2003 tournament in Australia paired England with the Springboks, who knocked them out of the last World Cup, in a crunch Pool C game.

And Dallaglio does not fancy England’s chances of success Down Under if they slip to another defeat when the sides meet in Perth.

If Clive Woodward’s men fail to avenge their 44-21 defeat in Paris three years ago, they face the fearsome prospect of having to beat New Zealand and then holders Australia just to reach the final.

Victory, though, would open up a decidedly easier route to the Stadium Australia final, with a likely quarter-final against Wales.

And with so much at stake, Dallaglio is predicting another classic.

‘‘It will be a tough game and we have to win it to have any chance of winning the World Cup,’’ he said.

‘‘We were always going to draw one of the big sides and now it’s South Africa, we’re happy with that.

‘‘Ultimately, if you want to win the thing you have to beat the best and they are very tough.

‘‘They knocked us out of the last World Cup and we’ve had some epic battles with them.’’

The memory of Springbok fly-half Jannie de Beer’s mighty five drop goals three years ago in Paris still haunts Dallaglio.

But he insisted the current England side is much better equipped to cope with anything South Africa throw at them and that victory in Perth would install them as favourites for the trophy.

He said: ‘‘I was so disappointed to lose to them in 1999 because personally I thought I played well that tournament.

‘‘Last time people were talking about us as potential winners, but we really didn’t have any substance to back that up.

‘‘This time I’m very excited. We’re a much stronger team now.

‘‘Australia have to be favourites as the holders, but we’ll have played enough rugby by then and we’ll be well prepared.’’

The 29-year-old was due to captain his country for this summer’s tour of Australia after returning from a serious knee injury.

But a hand injury has limited his appearances for Wasps this season and he will not have the cast removed until Friday, ruling him out of the trip.

Dallaglio remains hopeful he will regain the captain’s armband for the World Cup, and to lead the team to victory against South Africa would be extra sweet for a player who made his international debut against the Springboks in 1995.

He said: ‘‘The cast comes off soon and it’s obviously ruled me out of the tour, which is a big disappointment as I was due to captain the side but it allows me time to rest.

‘‘The armband has passed around a bit recently and it’s a huge honour. I was very pleased to be given the captaincy and I’d love to do it again.

‘‘But I have to concentrate on becoming the outstanding player in my position with Wasps and if the captaincy is there as well, so be it.’’

England were grouped alongside the Springboks and so far unknown qualifiers from Oceania, Europe and the Americas for next year’s tournament.