Cobus Visagie has vowed to play himself to pieces when he spearheads Saracens' forward collision with Munster's formidable pack on Sunday.

The celebrated tighthead prop is undaunted by the size of the task ahead and is determined to help the club go one step closer to ending their decade-long trophy drought before winding down his playing career.

The 34-year-old will start life as the club's scrummaging coach next season, transferring his vast knowledge and innovative techniques to the likes of Cencus Johnston, Tom Mercey and Aaron Liffchak while maintaining his role as a back-up' player, should he be called upon by new boss Eddie Jones.

Visagie has worked himself into the ground since undergoing elbow surgery last summer and is now hitting his best form of the season since returning to action last November.

His relentless training regime has resulted in a dramatic weight loss and Visagie admits he is playing at his lightest frame for 10 years, not that he is forthcoming in disclosing the figure but stressed his streamlined look had no bearing on his scrummaging prowess.

However, the South African is still one of the most abrasive front row customers around and is ready to make a huge sacrifice for the Men in Black in their most significant game to date.

A man mountain he may be but Visagie is prepared to be conquered physically come 4.30pm on Sunday. So confident in his own ability, Visagie has been testing out new scrummaging techniques on the field of play, describing himself as a lab rat' before applying those skills to Johnston and co. More like a sacrificial lamb.

"I've got every belief we can win this game," he said. "I think we've got a pack and a game plan that can take Munster on. The moment is big enough and for me it is my last big game. On the day we can beat any team we want if everybody comes to the party.

"At the end of the day in a game like this, every guy has got to focus and give everything. When I go into a game I always look at the match programme to see if I've got a day off the following week to recover - Sunday is a day to play yourself to pieces. Os du Randt (most capped Springbok forward) did that and he can hardly walk today - he can't even walk 50 metres. In my mind that is what I want to do on Sunday. What does it matter if I miss the next two games because I'm injured?"

Some observers may interpret those words as foolhardy but when you see the steely look in his eyes you know this is a defiant leader shooting from the hip and the heart.

"My message to the guys is treat this moment as if it is your last," added the powerhouse. "Even the guys that are 22-years-old could see their careers end early and that is why you must treat every single opportunity as if it is your last. Some of the best players I've ever known never played past 20 years of age. So, in that sense I feel fortunate and that is why I have nothing to lose."

Poignant words indeed from a man who is determined to impose himself as one of the club's out-and-out leaders, both on and off the pitch. Visagie believes the Men in Black have stumbled from one extreme to the other over the years because the club has not struck upon the right balance off players who can really take situations by the scruff off the neck and guide the team through.

"One of the big reasons I have trained really hard - harder than I've ever done in England - is because of the understanding that I have to set an example," he said. "I can't expect things of people next season that I will not be able to do myself. I want to be an example of the work ethic that is needed to be consistent and to be at the top.

"I have trained in every single session - I haven't missed a day's training. These are the critical success factors needed to be a consistent top four Premiership and Heineken Cup team."

Visagie also believes Eddie Jones is building a team of leaders not only to take Sarries to the next level, but to develop a recognisable culture within the club.

"A certain culture is not achieved in 12 years," he commented. "I think we've gone a long way since the low points of 2003 but personally, for the team to be successful is an important foundation for next season.

"The sad thing is unless we win the Heineken Cup we probably won't be in it next season. The fact we were involved in all three competitions up until April was a tall order to ask for a squad that had never been in two competitions by this stage. We don't have that many internationals that have played under that kind of pressure."

"If you look at the signings for next season (Steve Borthwick and Michael Owen confirmed so far) it is very much leadership that has been recruited," added the prop. "Eddie Jones is very well aware of what is going on at this club. He's got the relationship with each player before he even starts here and I think that is fundamental to our preparation for next season.

"The Brumbies (Aussie Super 14 side) is an example of a team that had no culture before they built up and achieved highly. But they are not that great now as they have lost their leaders.The leadership here has not been consistently addressed. There has been expectations for certain players to step into the role but they haven't fulfilled them."

The qualified pilot and chartered accountant is bound to start for Saracens on Sunday and he believes the club's foreign stars get a bigger jolt from playing European rugby.

"For the international players here there is something about playing in the Heineken Cup that brings out that extra edge in us," he said. "It is closer for us to test rugby than the Super 12 and Super 14 which we are use to.

"Flying is a hobby I love but winning on Sunday would be much more exhilarating. I've won Currie Cups (four with Western Province) in the past but this is as good as it gets."

Visagie's front row team-mate Andy Kyriacou reckons Munster's fierce passion could prove to be their downfall on Sunday.

The injured hooker spent six months on loan at Munster last season and still keeps in touch with Barry Murphy and Jerry Flannery.

"It will be a big challenge but the boys are really up for it," said the 25-year-old. "Hugh Vyvyan has been asking me about their line-out and I have tried to help as much as possible.

This is all we've got left of the season but we know Munster have a lot of experience in this competition. They are very physical up front and have a lot of flair in the backs.

"But all depends which Munster side turns up on the day. Their players are so passionate they sometimes have a tendency to go over the top. We're expecting a battle and their whole pack you could put out for Ireland.

"They dig for everything and just when you think you have turned the ball over they hit back."