Clive Woodward last night put England on full alert for a bruising, physical battle against South Africa, and told his team: "We are playing the best side in the Southern Hemisphere."
The Springboks return to Twickenham 12 months after being involved in one of the most punishing Test matches England have played during Woodward's four-year coaching reign.
Victory in Saturday's 75,000 sell-out showdown would complete a memorable autumn series for England, having already beaten world champions Australia and then Romania by a world record 134-point margin.
But Woodward knows England face a huge task as they seek their third successive win against South Africa, a feat no other England boss has seen his team accomplish. Last season's pulsating fixture went England's way, but not before several players required stitches following some bone-crunching collisions that underlined the occasion's legalised ferocity.
"There was a lot of blood and cuts last year, but it looked a lot more gory than it was," Woodward said. "There wasn't a bad incident, and the game was played in a tremendous spirit.
"Test match rugby is a very physical confrontation, and Saturday will be no different. South Africa are a tough team, and I expect this match to be a full-on encounter.
"The South African rugby culture is about a very tough, physical and aggressive style, but that is something we all admire, not something to get annoyed about."
Although the Springboks recently lost to resurgent France in Paris, and were then given a few scares by Six Nations strugglers Italy last Saturday, Woodward is under no illusions what to expect.
"I think that we are playing against the best team in the Southern Hemisphere at the moment," he said.
"I think they are ahead of Australia and the All Blacks in what they are doing, because they are moving forward - I have tremendous respect for their coach Harry Viljoen and their whole team."
Woodward has predictably kept team changes to a minimum from the side that toppled Australia 21-15 at Twickenham 10 days ago. Fit-again Martin Johnson returns as skipper after five weeks on the sidelines recovering from a broken hand sustained during Leicester's Premiership victory over Northampton.
With talisman Johnson back, his Leicester second-row colleague Ben Kay drops down to the replacements' bench following outstanding contributions against Australia and Romania, while stand-in skipper Neil Back reverts to the role of vice-captain.
Wales coach Graham Henry has made three enforced changes for Sunday's Millennium Stadium clash against Australia. Wing Anthony Sullivan (shoulder), centre Allan Bateman (hamstring) and prop Iestyn Thomas (broken toe) are all sidelined after being injured during Wales' 51-7 victory over Tonga at the weekend. Experienced Llanelli wing Wayne Proctor is recalled instead of Sullivan to make his first international start for three years, while promising Cardiff centre Jamie Robinson takes over from Bateman alongside Iestyn Harris in midfield.
Ebbw Vale prop Thomas, who was hurt early in the Tonga game, sees his position filled by Cardiff loose head Spencer John.
ENGLAND: J Robinson (Sale), A Healey (Leicester), W Greenwood (Harlequins), M Catt (Bath), D Luger (Harlequins), J Wilkinson (Newcastle), K Bracken (Saracens), G Rowntree (Leicester), D West (Leicester), P Vickery (Gloucester), M Johnson (Leicester, capt), D Greewcock (Bath), R Hill (Saracens), N Back (Leicester), J Worsley (Wasps). Replacements: M Regan (Bath), J Leonard (Harlequins), B Kay (Leicester), L Moody (Leicester), C Hodgson (Sale), M Tindall (Bath), B Cohen (Northampton).
WALES: K Morgan (Swansea); W Proctor (Llanelli), J Robinson (Cardiff), I Harris (Cardiff), G Thomas (Bridgend); S Jones (Llanelli), R Howley (Cardiff), S John (Cardiff), R McBryde (Llanelli), D Morris (Swansea), I Gough (Newport), A Moore (Swansea), C Charvis (Swansea), B Sinkinson (Neath), S Quinnell (Llanelli, cptn). Replacements: B Williams (Neath), D Jones (Neath), C Wyatt (Llanelli), G Thomas (Bath), D Peel (Llanelli), A Marinos (Newport), R Williams (Cardiff).
