No need to panic, says Div

LONDON - Springbok coach Peter de Villiers said there was no need to panic after last week's defeat to Scotland and yesterday made just two changes to face England at Twickenham on Saturday.

Scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar and No8 Pierre Spies return to the starting line-up in what, from the remnants of the injury and suspension-ravaged squad, is probably his strongest XV.

The Springboks' Grand Slam hopes were washed away in the Edinburgh rain as Scotland secured a deserved 21-17 victory and they desperately want to avoid another setback in what the coach considers the toughest test of the tour.

"There is no panic," De Villiers told reporters at the team's west London training base.

"We looked at all the options but we would be stupid not to go with the tried and tested. This team has all the ability we need but we have to execute more accurately than we did against Scotland."

South Africa last lost to England in 2006, winning the six meetings since then, including the 2007 World Cup final.

But the hosts are a much-improved side this year and De Villiers is bracing himself.

"England have made good progress since they started their tour to Australia this year and will be full of confidence," he said.

"A full Twickenham will ensure that this is the toughest Test of the tour for us.

"They are now a force again and it's a hell of a worry, especially with the World Cup so close, that they are gelling as a team."

Captain Victor Matfield, who will be facing England for the ninth time, said: "They are playing a great style of rugby now - they have width but they run very hard.

In a way it's much the same style as in 2003, keeping the forwards in the channels."

Matfield said the Scotland defeat had been analysed and the lessons learnt would be on show on Saturday, where cold weather and even snow could be on the menu.

"This is a great chance for us to redeem ourselves."

England, fresh from wins over Australia and Samoa, will name their team on Thursday.