England complete the worst tour in their history today by embarking on an apparent mission impossible against the world champions South Africa in Cape Town. But Gloucester lock Rob Fidler has promised a passion-filled performance as England look to tear up the formbook.
Reeling from record defeats by Australia (76-0) and New Zealand (64-22), England are confidently expected to fold under another crushing half century of points against opponents marching ominously towards next year's World Cup.
Conditions could favour England's workhorse pack, with heavy overnight rain forecast and a likely mudbath. But if South Africa can hit anything remotely approaching top gear, then the tourists will find themselves on the end of another hammering.
Fidler, 23, who made his Test debut in Auckland last Saturday is used to dredging up quality performances from a state of adversity, though.
"All the Gloucester players, myself included, give it 110 per cent every time we put the shirt on, and I am sure that is the type of spirit people will see from England tomorrow. When the chips are down, we rise to the challenge at Gloucester and all the boys pull through."
Despite England's disastrous southern hemisphere showings, a 50,000 crowd will fill Newlands hoping to see South Africa enjoy a spectacular send-off before the Tri-Nations series.
The Springboks have warmed up for England by twice beating Ireland comfortably and then demolishing Wales in humiliating fashion 96-13. Waiting to torment England is 23-year-old South African wing discovery Stefan Terblanche, scorer of six tries in his first three Tests.
In common with his teammates, Terblanch believes England will pose a much greater threat than either Ireland or Wales. But the tourists, in order to match that billing, will require another colossal forward effort and a masterly tactical display from scrum-half and captain Matt Dawson.
South Africa: Terblanche, A Snyman, P Muller, P Rossouw; H Honiball (Natal), J Van der Westhuizan; R Kempson, J Dalton, A Garvey, K Otto, M Andrews, J Erasmus, A Venter, G Teichmann.
England: M Perry; S Brown, N Beal, J Baxendell, P Sampson; J Lewsey, M Dawson; G Rowntree, R Cockerill, P Vickery, R Fidler, D Sims, B Clarke, P Sanderson, T Diprose.
Referee: P O'Brien (NZ).
The search for a new Wales coach has come down to a three-man short-list - with the appointment of Kevin Bowring's successor set to be finalised in the next few weeks.
