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South Africa's front row are determined to correct the errors which played a huge part in the team's poor showing on last year's disastrous November tour.
Jannie du Plessis played in only one of the Springboks end-of-year European tour matches in 2009, but the tighthead prop is anything less than 100 per cent effort will be punished.
The world champions face Ireland in Dublin on Saturday in the first of five matches on their Grand Slam tour, ending off at Twickenham against the Barbarians.
"It is always important to have a good scrumming tour," said Du Plessis.
"Unfortunately, last year we did not perform to our ability, but sometimes it is good to get out of your comfort zone.
"We are not going on this tour disillusioned and we are expecting the best in the world.
"We will be prepared and I believe that we will play well."
Du Plessis, loosehead prop Gurthro Steenkamp and hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle were forced to return home through injury before they could put their specialist talents to good use last year, and the results were devastating for the Boks.
Without a solid platform these players are known to lay up front, it was only a matter of time before the squad's speedsters felt the effects against teams more concerned about coming out tops in the tight facets of the game than playing expansive rugby.
Du Plessis insisted they would go on tour this time with the intention of reclaiming the respect he felt they deserved from their cold-weather counterparts.
"It is never nice thinking back that we didn't perform well, and I think if you are going to dwell on your failures you won't be able to get better and progress," he said.
"There are a few 'old new guys' like Bizzy (Bismarck du Plessis) and they bring a new breeze into the side.
"We just want to take it forward and whenever we get onto the field we want to play well and earn the respect."
Other "old new faces" in the squad include centre Adi Jacobs, lock Bakkies Botha and flank Juan Smith, who have all played key roles in some of the best Springbok victories in recent times.
Comments
logophile says...
I wonder who Bakkies will intentionally hurt this tour.
Posted 16:31 04th November 2010