Flanker Geoff Parling has no doubt that England are up for the challenge of facing South Africa's formidable pack.
Flanker believes England have enough character to face Boks
Flanker Geoff Parling has no doubt that England are up for the challenge of facing South Africa's formidable pack.
The Springboks are renowned for their physicality and even with a number of new faces are likely to remain a fearsome prospect up front in this month's three-Test series.
England are in transition following last year's disappointing World Cup campaign but, after a promising RBS Six Nations, Parling is confident they can handle the Springbok challenge.
The Leicester forward, a newcomer himself after making his full debut in February, said: "Without any doubt.
"It is still quite a young pack in terms of experience and playing together but you see the characters in the team - the way Chris Robshaw has led this season, and someone like Dan Cole - I see the way he trains every day of the week. I am sure we have got more than enough character in the squad.
"I think the whole South African way, how they are brought up, is to have a strong pack and build from a good platform.
Key areas
"The lineout is especially one of their key areas. You can see the way the majority of South African teams play is to get that good platform and maul a lot, drive a lot and get that momentum and go from there.
"They have lost some good players but the guys they have brought in aren't too bad either.
"But you can do too much analysis. We pretty much focus on ourselves. We have an idea of what is coming but is about stopping it and trying to impose ourselves."
The Six Nations championship, which saw England finish an unexpected second under new coach Stuart Lancaster, restored optimism in the England camp.
But Parling feels it is time to stop reflecting on that and move on to much greater things.
Important
The 28-year-old said: "It is important to move on from the Six Nations. I think we exceeded a lot of expectations but we didn't actually win it.
"We were second and we want to strive to win those competitions.
"It is about moving on from there, trying to get better. There is no better opportunity than coming here and trying to do it."
Parling claims there has been no lack of edge in training as players compete for a place in the squad for Saturday's first Test in Durban, which will be named on Thursday.
He said: "It is pretty intensive. In training players are flying about. The intensity and competition is good. Everyone is keen to get a Test spot and show what they can do."
