Eddie Jones has seen South African rugby from both sides and describes their approach to play as "chess with steroids".
Jones was on the receiving end of those chess moves when coach of Australia and had an inside view as assistant coach of the Springbok team that won the 2007 World Cup on the back of their monumental power and stonewall defence.
Jones has shown though, most memorably when leading Japan to a stunning upset victory at last year's World Cup, that you do not always have to try to outmuscle the Springboks to defeat them.
England have not beaten South Africa for 10 years, but Jones is plotting a way to get around, rather than through, the men in green at Twickenham on Saturday.
"South African rugby has traditionally been about momentum; big ball carriers getting over the gain line, and nothing's changed," Jones said.
"They're a very structured side. They play like a physical game of chess, like chess with steroids. They know exactly where they want to go and they do it with force.
"We knew they would pick a mammoth back row. If you're not 6-foot-6 you get shot and thrown out the door over there," added Jones.
Under Jones's guidance Japan combined terrific speed and mobility with remarkable fitness when they shocked the Boks in the pool stage of the 2015 World Cup.
The Australian said, however, that little from that game would apply on Saturday.
"We're a bit different than Japan and psychologically we're in a very different position," he explained.
"There are ways to get to South Africa. Because of the overtness of their physicality they give you opportunities and we'll take them.
"It's almost the opposite game that you play against New Zealand where you want to keep your game as structured as possible. Against South Africa you want to do it unstructured."
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