COBUS VISAGIE reckons tonight's (Friday's) crucial World Cup clash between England and South Africa will not be as clear cut as many experts are suggesting.

The Springboks mauled Samoa 57-7 while England struggled against the USA the day before.

However, former South African tighthead prop Visagie reckons his country will be in for a much sterner test against Brian Ashton's unconvincing side.

Jake White will be without flanker Schalk Burger and centre Jean de Villiers to suspension and injury respectively, a double blow which Visagie says can only boost England's hopes of causing an upset.

"They've taken out the motivational leaders of the packs and the backs in Schalk Burger and Jean de Villiers," said the Saracens powerhouse, who will be in Paris to watch the match. "They have been shot in the knees with that but fortunately they have depth to replace.

"But they have lost their edge and they'll be worried. They are the coaches' two golden boys. It will give England a psychological boost."

Francois Steyn has come in for de Villers and Visagie fears England could target the error prone Natal Sharks star.

"Francois is a brilliant player but he's prone to mistakes which you don't want in a game of that magnitude," added Visagie.

"I think there will be less that 10 points in it but I still fancy the Springboks to win and go on to reach the semi-finals.

"I predict a South Africa v New Zealand final and my country certainly have a chance of winning it."

Visagie also played down the circus surrounding the appointment of former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones as South Africa's technical analyst, seen as an act of betrayal in the eyes of many Aussies.

"Eddie is a brilliant coach and if South Africa didn't do it England would have probably took him," he added.