Autumn Internationals: England v South Africa, Twickenham, 2.30, Sky Sports 2: If ever there was a promoter's dream it is South Africa's visit to Twickenham today.
In the red and white corner are the world champions looking to explore fresh horizons while across the halfway line stand the Tri-Nations champions, infamous in these parts from their last visit two years ago.
No one expects another below-the-belt slugfest but the hype may still be justified.
Watching the Springboks huddled together in their final training session yesterday it was certainly hard to avoid the sense of a team on a mission, fuelled as much by the disappointment of last Saturday's defeat at Lansdowne Road and the consequent ruin of their Grand Slam hopes as the realisation the fate of the entire tour now rests on this fixture.
Andy Robinson, for his part, could barely contain his excitement on the eve of his first acid test as England's head coach.
"You never worry about games being too early. I think we have a team who are really up for the challenge," he said.
Gallant defeat never featured in Robinson's lexicon as a player and, as long as he remains in charge, it never will. Pausing only to back his captain Jason Robinson's silent stance with the media in midweek and to express his sympathy for Gloucester's Phil Vickery, out until the New Year with a fractured eye socket, Robinson's aim is for his side to pump up the volume where it matters on the field and, if possible, stick down an early marker against opponents who will occupy the same pool at the 2007 World Cup.
To do so, they must first match South Africa in at least three key areas, namely the lineout, the back row and the midfield where the 'Boks are ferociously strong. If Joe van Niekerk is allowed to burst off the base of the scrum with Schalk Burger at his elbow or Marius Joubert gets into his high-stepping stride, it could be a very long, hard afternoon for England, regardless of the fact they have beaten their opponents in each of their last five meetings.
On top of everything else, England are also still trying out to bed down new combinations at centre, at half-back and the back five of their scrum, with South Africa certain to explore the defensive channel between Charlie Hodgson and Henry Paul.
To quote Martin Corry, the two opensides, Burger and Lewis Moody, will be "like rutting stags" in the first quarter and England's only edge is on the replacements' bench, a mixed blessing if they are already too far behind.
It is vital, as Robinson's assistant Joe Lydon agreed yesterday, that England's backs do not get "overawed" by the occasion but the head coach is certain to learn infinitely more than he did from the 70-point stroll against Canada. "The intensity, the focus and the feeling inside is different," he growled. "Anybody who takes a backward step is going to get exposed. It's very similar to playing the French in terms of the physical challenge they pose up front and the pace they have in the backs."
Robinson also senses the cold weather may be to England's advantage, the young South Africans having shown signs on this trip of being more comfortable on hard, fast grounds at home. "The intensity of an autumnal day, the crispness of it, it adds that bit of edge and I think it benefits our players," he said.
Robinson formally ruled World Cup hero Jonny Wilkinson out of his autumn Test plans.
The Newcastle outhalf, currently troubled by a bicep injury following his prolonged neck and shoulder problems, will extend an enforced exile from international rugby beyond a year by missing next week's World Cup final rematch against Australia.
The Springbok camp, meanwhile, have invited the golfer Ernie Els to present their jerseys before the game, perhaps in an effort to keep their players on the straight and narrow. England have resisted the temptation to summon Tony Jacklin but, otherwise, are confident they can match whatever South Africa throw at them. On this occasion, though, an English victory may be too much to expect.
ENGLAND: J Robinson (captain); M Cueto, M Tindall, H Paul, J Lewsey; C Hodgson, A Gomarsall; G Rowntree, S Thompson, J White, D Grewcock, S Borthwick, J Worsley, L Moody, M Corry. Replacements: A Titterrell, A Sheridan, B Kay, A Hazell, H Ellis, W Greenwood, B Cohen.
SOUTH AFRICA: P Montgomery; B Paulse, M Joubert, De Wet Barry, J de Villiers; J van der Westhuyzen, F du Preez; O du Randt, J Smit (capt), E Andrews, B Botha, V Matfield, S Burger, A J Venter, J van Niekerk. Replacements: H Shimange, C J van der Linde, D Rossouw, G Britz, M Claassens, J Fourie, B Habana.
Referee: A Rolland (Ireland).
