Isn't hostility a sign you're on top? For the Springboks' detractors, that might explain a lot.
Steve Borthwick kept to his schedule this week, sticking to the plan that had his latest England team announcement pencilled in for Thursday.
England’s attack has evolved significantly since a watershed defeat by Scotland in February but they now find themselves in the midst of a four-Test losing run that is expected to be extended by the back-to-back world champions.
Harlequins ringmaster Smith was England’s most dangerous player in Saturday’s 42-37 defeat by Australia, helping to set up four of their five tries in an attacking masterclass.
If you missed it, you might assume that the Springboks monstered their Scottish counterparts with another brutal display of Bomb Squad powered brutality. And to a degree, you’d be right.
The hosts rallied impressively in the second half and at one stage got to within four points of the world champions.
Having verbally clashed at last October’s Rugby World Cup semi-final in Paris, a divisive situation where the English back-rower claimed he was racially abused, the November 16 Autumn Nations Series fixture was set to tee up an intriguing rematch between the pair.
In just a few days another season of the Top 14 kicks off with the likes of Owen Farrell, Siya Kolisi, Josua Tuisova, and Davit Niniashvili making the numbers of the overseas players ready to make the headlines and wrestle for the title.
Ospreys roared into the quarter-finals of the European Challenge Cup with a gritty 23-15 victory over Sale Sharks.
Ahead of the USA's opening game against England, the G.O.A.T has swung around with pressure from Patriots teammate and former US Sevens player Nate Ebner