Pool C news: Clive Woodward's priority before Saturday's crunch game against South Africa was to name a full-strength side and yesterday, to general astonishment, he did just that.

Less than 48 hours ago the England coach could barely muster one fit scrumhalf, but South Africa must now prepare to face the best the English can offer.

On Monday, when five of Woodward's key players were doubtful for the crucial Pool C encounter at Perth's Subiaco Oval, few imagined the England injury list would shrink quite as fast as it has.

Contrary to initial fears, Matt Dawson will be at scrumhalf in an unchanged starting line-up, with another potential absentee, Kyran Bracken, named as a replacement.

Dawson's recovery from a lower hamstring problem is particularly eye-catching because Woodward had felt sufficiently concerned to fly out Bath's Martyn Wood as emergency back-up.

Now, after spending only 60 hours in Australia, Wood will fly home today, given that Bracken has insisted he has recovered from the back spasm that put him out of last weekend's Georgia game.

With Richard Hill and Mike Tindall also said to be fine after intensive treatment from what Woodward described as England's "world-class" medical team, only Danny Grewcock's broken toe has prevented the management choosing from a full squad of 30.

Woodward lost two men injured in Sunday's warm-up, however, so a late reshuffle cannot entirely be ruled out.

The coach reacted rather testily when asked whether all his team would have made the game were it being played tonight but, if his chosen 22 remains unchanged between now and Saturday, there is no question his back-room staff will be among the contenders for man of the match.

"We are taking no risks," Woodward insisted. "This is not a game to be taking risks.

"I speak to the doctor and I speak to the player and I go with what they say."

If Gloucester scrumhalf Andy Gomarsall, who yesterday seemed destined to start, has less reason than most to salute the team doctor Simon Kemp and his hard-working team of physios, Dawson is an extremely relieved man.

"When you get a bang and come off then obviously you fear the worst," he said. "But the medical team put everything in perspective and after 48 hours it was much improved. I wouldn't play for England unless I was 100 per cent fit."

The situation with Bracken, however, is more complicated. Though he seemed happy enough yesterday, he has had back problems in the warm-up prior to each of his last two games for England. Should he suffer further trouble this weekend, no one will be more aware than himself of the likely consequences.

With Martin Corry deputising as expected for Grewcock, the only other bench amendment sees Dorian West nudge aside Mark Regan as the replacement hooker.

Woodward, meanwhile, is also refusing to be swayed by voices from outside the England camp who have suggested, among other things, that Saturday's referee Peter Marshall should be stricter on England at the breakdown.

"I don't think you'd be too bright to go into a tackle situation and try and speed their ball up," countered the coach, vainly attempting to distance himself from the mounting hype surrounding Saturday's game.

"You don't normally listen to what the opposition camp are saying. The game's not played in the papers; it doesn't matter what I say or what Rudolf (Straeuli, the South Africa coach) says."

Woodward, nevertheless, is on record as describing this as England's most important game for four years, which explains the frenzied media interest. If his side lose, they can anticipate a quarter-final with New Zealand in Melbourne on November 8th. If they win, an altogether friendlier path awaits.

South Africa skipper Corne Krige, meanwhile, admitted last night he had a battle on his hands to win the respect of English rugby fans.

Krige was at the centre of a brutal Test between the countries in November when the Springboks' violent approach left a bitter taste.

And while Krige insists a lot of water has passed under the bridge since then, he is also realistic about what the history books will show.

"I would like them to respect me but I don't think a lot of them respect me after that Test match last November," Krige said.

"As a player, I will always play it hard and as close to the borderline as possible, but never stepping over that line. I think it will take a bit of time for me to change their perception."

The Springboks have been in upbeat mood this week, oozing a quiet confidence as they prepare for Saturday.

Krige accepts what is at stake.

"The 53-3 defeat in November hurt more than I can explain," he added. "We hate losing and losing by that margin was totally unacceptable. It took a long time for me to recover from that but there is no revenge in mind - that would be the wrong attitude.

"Before our tour to France, Scotland and England last year, maybe we created expectations that we shouldn't have. We were a very young side and we should have explained it to our public in that way but I still don't think anyone expected to lose by such a margin.

"I've never played in a team ever when there have been any instructions (about violent play) and I think it would be a crazy thing to instruct anyone to do, especially if it is not in a player's nature.

"When you are in a situation like we were, you face one or two decisions," he said.

"When you are getting a hiding, do you give up or do you go in as hard as you can with the attitude of if I'm going to go down, then I'm taking a few guys with me?

"It wasn't the right attitude and I have apologised to the people I needed to. Since then, I haven't played like that again."

Since that England defeat, Krige and South Africa have had to contend with racism allegations off the pitch and more disciplinary trouble on it, and he concedes it has been a testing time for everyone concerned.

"But I don't see it in a negative light. Someone has to take charge and make sure the team focuses on rugby.

"I try and lead by example and get the other players to follow."

ENGLAND (v South Africa): J Lewsey; J Robinson, W Greenwood, M Tindall, B Cohen; J Wilkinson, M Dawson; P Vickery, S Thompson, T Woodman, M Johnson (capt), B Kay, R Hill, N Back, L Dallaglio. Replacements: D West, J Leonard, M Corry, L Moody, K Bracken, P Grayson, D Luger.