Former Springbok captain John Smit expects Saturday's Test between his countrymen and England at Twickenham to be a tight match.
The two sides will know a lot about each other after meeting during a three-Test series in South Africa earlier this year.
And although the Boks won the series 2-0, Smit expects England to be encouraged by their performances, especially in the last Test which ended in a 14-14 draw.
"I do see it being close again on Saturday," Smit told Sky Sports.
"England will take confidence from their draw in Port Elizabeth and will be looking to build on that at home."
The Saracens front-rower believes there are similarities between the two squads with England coach Stuart Lancaster and Bok counterpart Heyneke Meyer both in charge of inexperienced squads.
"Both squads are in a similar situation," Smit added.
"They both have new coaches that are building young squads with a view to the future.
"They are gaining valuable experience all the time and both have huge potential and have showed signs of improvements.
"I think both teams have squads that can develop towards the World Cup but they will have to start to deliver results.
"I can see from the England squad that they have got some good players who are working hard. They have a belief in their coach and what he is trying to do and that is crucial."
Smit praised his Saracens team-mates Mako Vunipola and Owen Farrell and predicted that they will have bright futures for England.
"I think I know more about the England players now from my time at Sarries and playing against the clubs here," Smit said.
"Mako Vunipola is an exciting inclusion for England, he is an exciting player. I have watched how hard he has worked to get to this stage. He looks like he could be a real talent.
"Owen Farrell has got everything. He has a brilliant quality about him. He has great hands, he can kick beautifully and he is solid in defence."
Comments
ruckingkiwi says...
Probably the only time it'll be worth watching the two most boring teams in world rugby. Will be cheering for SA of course.
Posted 19:51 21st November 2012
JayStarr says...
@ APV1: I don't think I am giving you too much credit. This England team with Lancaster at the helm showed me that they can learn and adapt when they were here in South Africa... They should have won the 3rd test. I think they know that, and with guys like Haskell being included (who knows our players from Super Rugby), they will be pretty confident that they can beat predictable us at Twickers... So unless the Boks undergo a serious attitude adjustment this week, or one of our players saves our backsides with individual brilliance again, I think England will take the game.
Posted 15:57 21st November 2012
APV1 says...
@ JayStarr - I think you're giving us too much credit. The Boks (most of them) have been on fine form and winning well.
Just consider the match up between Youngs and Strauss at 2, as a classic example. Youngs has been playing well and going ok, but Strauss was awesome last weekend.
That said, I hope we do win...
Posted 11:13 21st November 2012
ruggaluva says...
Big ball carriers, Up n unders - game plan finito !! boy that HM is one over payed douche.
i read an article on the excellent Australian sports site The Roar that SA rugby is a cancer in world rugby as it systematically kills of the joy of the game. I had to say there was almost a tear in my eye as read it... thus henceforth until we do some serious soul searching and discover the joie de vivre of the game i will be supporting the French !
Vive la France.... long may the be the thorn in the flesh of the Silver Fern Hobbits !
Posted 10:01 21st November 2012
jonesy2 says...
groundbreaking prediction from john. unless goosen or elton play this will be a rank affair, an insomia cure if you will. lambie has been immensely disappointing. south africa will need to improve if they are to win but if you look at the teams on paper all the boks need to do is basics
Posted 06:47 21st November 2012
NHsaints says...
True Farrel is good but he's not what we're looking for, Flood is a far more creative and running 10 and can land his tackles and kicks. And as for the bench we need impact players who can run the ball from everywhere in the final 20-30 mins and a controlled player like Farrel doesn't suit that, we're better off with someone like JJ or Twelvetrees on the bench.
Posted 22:07 20th November 2012
JayStarr says...
Unless the Springboks undergo a serious attitude shift this week, England will win on Saturday...
They've played against us 3 times this year, with their last match a draw (which they could have won) in South Africa. At Twickenham they have the advantage. But with the Boks' incredibly predictable game plan and having faced them before, England will know EXACTLY what to expect - and unlike the other home unions, they have the beef to stop us. They'll be waiting for our "ball carriers" and have a plan for our aimless up-and-unders. And then what will we do? We don't have a plan B remember...
No, I'm afraid this one is England's to lose. Even Patrick Lambie is predictable in HM's game plan...
Posted 18:32 20th November 2012