Honiss is back to haunt the Boks

Coach Jake White, captain John Smit and the Springboks may not like it, but New Zealand referee Paul Honiss could easily take charge of their crucial Test against England at Twickenham on Saturday.

Honiss, who infuriated the Springboks with some of his decisions during last Saturday's 17-12 defeat against Ireland, is senior touch judge this weekend.

Ireland's Alain Rolland is the referee, but should anything happen to Rolland during the game - heaven forbid in the early stages - then senior touch judges Honiss will take charge.

And that is a thought the South African camp may not have contemplated when they criticised him for his handling of their encounter with the Irish at Lansdowne Road last week.

Other interesting match facts ahead of the England versus South Africa encounter on Saturday:

* The countries have met on 23 occasions - South Africa lead the series 12-10, with one draw.

* England's record victory was a 53-3 success at Twickenham in 2002, while South Africa boast a best of 35-9 (1984).

* England have won their last five Tests against South Africa, featuring three victories at Twickenham, one in Bloemfontein and last year's World Cup pool win in Perth.

* There are five survivors from the 25-6 World Cup victory at Subiaco Oval in the England starting line-up on Saturday - Jason Robinson, Josh Lewsey, Mike Tindall, Steve Thompson and Lewis Moody.

* South Africa's last win against England was an 18-13 success in Pretoria in June, 2000.

* The Springboks' last win at Twickenham was a 29-11 triumph on 29 November 1997.

* England have not lost at home to one of the Tri-Nations heavyweights - South Africa, Australia or New Zealand - since October 1999.

* Springboks prop Os du Randt will win his 50th cap this weekend.

* Five members of the South African side will be making their first Test match appearances against England - centre Marius Joubert, wing Jean de Villiers, scrum-half Fourie du Preez, prop Eddie Andrews and flanker Schalk Burger.

* Fly-half Charlie Hodgson will become the 15th England player to reach a Test century if he scores 12 points or more this weekend.