Springboks insist Krige will be fit to face England

Springboks coach Rudolf Straeuli has played down fears that their influential captain Corne Krige could miss the crucial Pool C match against England next Saturday because of a hamstring strain.

"It is not a very serious injury," Straeuli said. "We had a run, and he took an inside pass from the fly-half and he felt cramp in his hamstring. He has seen the physio and he will be ready for next week."

South Africa launch their World Cup campaign against Uruguay today and Straeuli said: "If this was a bigger game, then Corne might well have played."

Meanwhile, Joost van der Westhuizen, who is captaining the side in the absence of Krige, has warned his side to expect a "very physical game". The scrum-half insists that Uruguay will not be taken lightly. It is a classic contest between the haves and have-nots - South Africa, with all their heavy artillery, opposing a team that does not even have a proper scrummaging machine to work on back in South America.

South Africa should cruise to victory in preparation for tomorrow week's match with England, even though they are blooding two new caps in centre Jaque Fourie and flanker Danie Rossouw.

Van der Westhuizen will retire at the end of this year. "I always said that I wanted to end my career like I started it - and that is to enjoy it. The best way to enjoy it is to live your dream."