Bakkies Botha is after completing a goal in winning at Twickenham © Getty Images

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Players/Officials Bakkies Botha

Teams England | South Africa

South Africa's Bakkies Botha is eager for Saturday's season-ending clash with England to result in his first win at Twickenham.

The Springboks ended their woeful run at the London ground two years ago by posting their first victory since 1997, but lock Botha was one of several players from the current squad missing from that team.

"Winning at Twickenham against England is one of my goals and one of the other guys' goals as well," said Botha. "There are a few of us that weren't in the team when South Africa won there a couple of years ago so it's definitely one of my goals. It'd be nice to tick that box. It's a big one this weekend and it's going to be very tough."

Much has been made of South Africa's perceived fatigue this week after coach Peter de Villiers' admission on Monday that his players were mentally exhausted. However, Botha was the latest of a number of players to refute suggestions they were eager to get the game over and done with so they could start their holidays after a long season.

"I'm feeling honoured to wear the number four jersey for the Springboks weekend in, weekend out," he said. "After training this morning we know the guys are looking good and looking forward to it.

"We are professional sportsmen and the work's not done until the whistle blows after 80 minutes. I think this is where the character of the Springboks comes out. For this game in particular the guys will be able to see which guys they can lean on to put down the goods.

"I can see the guys are a little bit fatigued but they are still picking each other up and I can say from my heart that we will not be going onto the field thinking about it being the end of the year. It was a long season but it's just a mindset.

"It's an honour every time you pull the Springbok jersey over your head and you must be 100% and eager to give everything for your team-mates next to you."

England may have lost last week to Australia but Botha, who played in the triumphs over Wales and Scotland in the last fortnight, is not expecting an easy ride. South Africa have also won their last five Tests against England - the last of which was the World Cup final in France a year ago.

"England are a very good team but we're looking forward to it," Botha added. "We are prepared for anything they will throw at us. England's scrum is very strong and it's almost the same set of guys as the World Cup. They'll be very up for it this weekend. They train very hard at their scrums, like us.

"We know every side tries to improve on their weaknesses so England will be wanting to improve on their performance last week. But we are ready for that and whatever they throw at us, we'll be ready to give 100% back.

"I respect my opponents but between the forward lines when the whistle blows it's business."

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