 Larder says South Africa are the world's most aggressive team |
England defensive coach Phil Larder says South Africa are "fairly predictable" and will hold few surprises for his side on Saturday. The Boks have improved massively since losing in the second round of the World Cup and are the Tri-Nations champions.
But Larder said: "They're a fairly predictable team. Against Wales [on 6 November] you could almost predict what they would do from scrum and lineout.
"They don't compare to Australia and New Zealand as passers."
But he added: "They are undoubtedly the most aggressive side in the world.
"They're big, aggressive and will come at you.
"And Joe van Niekerk is a massive threat from the base of the scrum."
Larder revealed England had modified their usual training regime this week because the Boks are such a physical side.
"Preparing to play South Africa is more of a mental thing," he said.
"It's more important than ever this week not to pick up any bumps or bruises.
"We've probably been less physical this week than any other week.
"You need to be able to match and better them physically. That's why we've beaten them on five of the last six occasions we've played them."
England have made just one change from the side that beat Canada 70-0 on Saturday, with Joe Worsley coming into the back row to replace Andy Hazell.
And Larder says the combination of Worsley, Martin Corry and Lewis Moody will give England the best possible blend in the back row.
"Joe Worsley brings size and a prodigious work-rate to the back row," he said.
"Joe has criticised me a lot in the past for not being able to use him in the same way that Wasps do.
"He likes to come into the midfield and his one-on-one tackling technique is very good. He's a formidable unit to be hit by.
"But credit to Andy, he got the defensive award last week. He had an outstanding defensive game and made 21 tackles."
And England coach Andy Robinson rejected claims by his South Africa counterpart Jake White that the Springboks were being unfairly targeted by referees in Britain and Ireland.
Schalk Burger was sin-binned in the 38-36 win over Wales and last week's 17-12 defeat by Ireland.
"Some of the players have, at times, persistently offended," Robinson said.
"If you offend you have got to expect to be sin-binned.
"For me, the referee has probably made the right calls.
"We've got to play this game with 15 players and need discipline at the contact area."
MMIX
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It's one thing to know what they are going to do, quite another to deal with it