Rassie Erasmus delivered a pointed warning to his Springbok squad as they prepare to face England in the Nations Championship opener at Ellis Park on Saturday, insisting that any hint of complacency could prove costly against a side with a history of upsetting South African expectations.
The world champions have won their past three matches against England and will start as favourites at a ground regarded as their spiritual home, with kick-off scheduled for 5.40pm. Yet Erasmus, speaking alongside assistant coaches Deon Davids and Mzwandile Stick, emphasised the danger of arrogance creeping into his side's preparations.
"I was playing when Jannie de Beer kicked five drop goals at the Stade de France in the 1999 World Cup, and we won and went through to the quarterfinals, and England didn't," Erasmus said. "But make no mistake, they have taken some glory away from us."
The Springbok coach pointed to England's 53-3 demolition of South Africa at Twickenham in 2002 as evidence that previous form counts for little in this fixture. More recently, the sides contested the 2019 World Cup final and last year's one-point semi-final in Paris, underlining the enduring intensity of the rivalry.
"England will also be strong. Like us, they have many rugby players. France has the most, then England, and we are third. So, they have strength in numbers, and the Premiership standard is very high," Erasmus added.
The head coach also referenced a 1972 encounter at Ellis Park where England upset a favoured Springbok side, a reminder that the Johannesburg venue offers no guarantee of success. Several younger Springboks, including bench forward Cameron Hanekom, will face England for the first time on Saturday.