Burnham Beeches was a mellow oasis in a turbulent sporting world yesterday, which is not always the case when the England soccer team are in residence.

Instead of Gazza bouncing off the hotel walls, the predominant sound around the sunlit lawns of Australia's Buckinghamshire base was the gentle hum of Wallabies explaining just how relaxed they were feeling compared to last week when the nerve-ends were apparently jangling prior to their quarter-final against Wales.

This, it emerged, was not so much a compliment to the Welsh as a recognition that South Africa, their opponents in Saturday's first semi-final, are far more of a known quantity. This will be the fifth encounter between the sides inside 18 months and, while the Springboks have won three of the last four, both camps know precisely what to expect.

Like seasoned surfers paddling back out to sea after a couple of minor wipe-outs, the Wallabies appear confident they can deal with the big wave when it breaks. So while they made an unexpected tweak to their replacements bench yesterday with Rod Moore - a late reserve in the squad after the injury to Patricio Noriega - named as cover for Andrew Blades, there was a strong sense of a squad at peace with itself.

No, insisted Stephen Larkham, he would not be attempting to drop five goals like Jannie de Beer. The Aussies have always considered there are more satisfying ways to win games of rugby.

Yes, agreed Tim Horan, he and his mates would have to play better than they did against the Welsh. And, yes, he thought the Springboks were timing their run well. "You don't want to be peaking in the pool games," he suggested. "You want to be peaking about now." He might, of course, have been referring equally to England.

The only slight ripples on an otherwise flat surface concerned Tiaan Strauss, who played at number eight against Wales yet has failed to win a spot in the 22 against his former compatriots, and the suspicion of all Test sides these days as to whether the referee will fancy them, or vice-versa.

The Strauss move could well be a deliberate recognition on Rod Macqueen's part that there is no point making Nick Mallett's job any easier than it need be. As for Derek Bevan, assigned yesterday to handle their semi-final, both squads are cautiously optimistic. The Welshman was in charge of the 1991 final between Australia and England at Twickenham, as well as the famously waterlogged Durban semi-final between the Springboks and France four years ago.

But the Wallabies assistant coach Jeff Miller said his men "could have done with a little more help from Derek" during the 34-15 Tri-Nations defeat by New Zealand in Auckland in July.

Miller is among those who would support the introduction of video replays to assist officials. "We are playing for sheep stations at the moment and it's very important those decisions are right," was how he phrased it yesterday, which is Aussie for saying that the stakes are high.

Jim Fleming's appointment for Sunday's New Zealand-France semi-final may be less to the All Blacks' liking, as the Scot also supervised their 28-7 trouncing by Australia in Sydney two months ago.

Given the failure of any of the home unions to reach the last four, though, this is a perfect opportunity for referees from this part of the world to ensure one of them gets the nod for the big one in Cardiff on Saturday week. England's Ed Morrison and Wales's Clayton Thomas, both touch judges this weekend, remain in the frame although the final appointment will be based on displays over the past two years rather than just this tournament.

France's Emile N'tamack is making good progress from a knee injury but his participation against New Zealand at Twickenham on Sunday remains in doubt, team doctor Thierry Hermerel said yesterday evening. The Toulouse centre or wing is "making progress" but remains in pain, Hermerel said.

"The injury is getting better and the swelling has gone down, but because there is still pain we cannot say at the moment whether he will be able to play or not," he added. N'tamack suffered an inflamed knee after taking a knock late in France's quarter-final win over Argentina in Dublin on Sunday.

The French side is due to be named today but assistant coach Pierre Villepreux said a decision on N'tamack could be delayed until late on Thursday, or "at the worst" until Friday morning. Stephane Glas is on standby to replace N'tamack in the centre if he fails to recover.

Meanwhile, Jonah Lomu's future remains in doubt at the conclusion of the World Cup tournament. Lomu, who has already scored six tries in four matches in the tournament, is certain to receive a swag of offers to switch codes when his current All Black contract expires.

Leading English rugby league club Leeds head Lomu's suitors and could make an offer that sees him split his time between league and union. Back home in New Zealand, the Auckland Warriors are also planning an offer to Lomu.