JOHANNESBURG - First five-eighth Jonny Wilkinson is targeting England's two-test series in South Africa as another opportunity to improve his game.
Wilkinson kicked the extra time dropped goal that won the 2003 World Cup but suffered a succession of injuries after that, only returning to the international fold
in January this year.
The No 10, who turns 28 on Friday, is one of the few first-choice players England have on tour, with nearly 30 players at home injured or involved in club commitments.
England play the Springboks in the first test in Bloemfontein on Sunday (NZ time).
"I'm fully fit and healthy and it's an opportunity to represent my country. I don't need any other reason to be here," Wilkinson, who has recovered from a stomach virus, said.
"But my learning has been a bit stunted by injury these last three years and I would like to add to my experience of performing under pressure and try to better myself as a player."
Wilkinson has starred in three of England's most celebrated victories over the Springboks -- their 25-6 win in the 2003 World Cup quarterfinal in Perth, the 53-3 rout at Twickenham in 2002 and the 27-22 victory in Bloemfontein in 2000.
But he said those matches would have no influence on Sunday's encounter.
"I always want to live in the here and now and you quickly learn in this game that those are one-off moments. It will be nice to go back to Bloemfontein, it was an intimidating and tough place back then and I'm sure that hasn't changed," Wilkinson said.
"But there have been numerous games since those and rugby has moved on. The personnel has more relevance, but there are two totally different sides playing on Saturday (Sunday)."
England captain Jason Robinson said his team would not back down from an expected physical onslaught from the Springboks.
"They will be very physical and will look to dominate us in that area, but we look forward to meeting that head-on. They have a tough pack and strength in depth, but they also have plenty of speed with Bryan Habana and Ashwin Willemse on the wings.
"There is no doubt the reality is we are underdogs. It would be very tough to come out here with a full-strength squad and we would probably still be underdogs."
- REUTERS
