South Africa’s backs coach Dick Muir admits the Springboks management team could face the axe if they lose to England at Twickenham on Saturday.
The reigning world champions finished bottom of the Tri-Nations table and their 21-17 defeat to Scotland last week has ramped up the pressure.
Muir insisted South Africa have to approach the England game as an opportunity to right the wrongs of Murrayfield – but he knows what to expect if it goes badly.
“Our public back home epitomise what it is about. It is ruthless,” said Muir.
“They expect you to come over here and get the win and if you don’t get the result then there are going to be heads that are going to roll.”
The Rugby Football Union consistently backed Martin Johnson and his coaching team to remain in place through to the 2011 World Cup, even when things were not so rosy in the England garden.
But even with the defence of their title less than a year away, the Springboks have to work in a very different environment.
“In South Africa it is probably a bit more volatile than it is here,” Muir added.
“(In that environment) you have to believe in yourself, you have got to believe in your management team and your bosses.
“You have got to have a shared vision and hang in there in the tough times.
“From a coaching perspective you know most coaches end up getting fired so if you trust what you are about you can achieve what you ultimately set out to achieve.
“To be as good as we need to be at the World Cup, we are slightly off our pace. We need to do some clear thinking to make sure we are in line for that.”
South Africa secured narrow wins over Ireland and Wales before losing to Scotland and Peter De Villiers has already identified England as their toughest challenge.
“Martin Johnson has had to go through some tough times but hats off to him for sticking to what he has. He has introduced some very exciting young players,” said Muir.
“The balance they have is good. The style of play is good. It will be a massive challenge for us.
“It has been a wake-up week for us after not getting the result against Scotland. England are really playing good rugby and we have got to have our wits about us.
“We are a proud nation and we are not proud of what happened at the weekend.
“We have to face up to the facts that we did not deliver and fortunately we have another week to be able to redeem ourselves.”
The last time South Africa played at Twickenham on the back of a defeat to Scotland was in November 2002 – the so-called ‘Battle of the Boks’.
South Africa lost all discipline as Corne Krige led his side on a trail of destruction. The Springboks had a player sent off after 23 minutes and England ran out 53-3 winners.
Muir admitted South Africa have at times put too much emphasis on brute force and he warned they will have to be much smarter against an England side now ranked fourth in the world.
“It has counted against us at times when we have been too hell-bent on being physical. You have to have the balance right,” said Muir.
“You need to be physical but you also need to be astute.”
PLANET RUGBY