But Leicester star Croft – who scored a try after coming on against Samoa last time out – has urged Martin Johnson’s troops not to lose focus or risk being on the end of a Springbok backlash.

"They're still world champions and you have to take that into account," Croft said.

"South Africa have just lost a game they may have expected to win so they'll be on the rampage.

"If you start thinking [South Africa are] not quite the team they used to be, that's where you will definitely slip up.

"You have to have respect for them off the pitch but as soon as you cross that whitewash, it's you versus them and if you give them that respect on the pitch, they will get the upper hand."