South Africa captain Corne Krige has claimed England lack the quality to win next year's World Cup in Australia.

Speaking after the Springboks arrived back in South Africa today following their record 53-3 defeat to England on Saturday, Krige said: "Technically they are a very sound, well-oiled machine at the moment and they're running high on confidence.

"But it was very difficult to judge how good they really were. I don't rate that them that much - I think they can be taken."

Krige's view is in stark contrast to that of the South Africa coach Rudolf Streauli, who believes England go into next year's World Cup as favourites.

"They've been together for four years now and are a successful side. They've beaten all the top sides so they must be the favourites," he said.

Streauli added that the Springboks were already looking forward to redeeming themselves after Saturday's record test defeat at English hands when the two sides meet again in a vital World Cup group game in Perth.

"We're looking forward to Perth, 18 of October," Streauli said. "But I'm seeing it as a World Cup game, I'm not seeing it as a chance for revenge.

"Obviously the feeling wasn't great in that changing room on Saturday so yes, maybe that will motivate us even more."

South Africa, who were reduced to 14 men following the dismissal of lock Jannes Labuschagne for a late shoulder charge on Jonny Wilkinson in the first half, came in for heavy criticism following Saturday's defeat.

Streauli, however, denied he had sent his team out to intimidate England illegally.

"I don't think we were over-motivated," he said. "We are applauding our defence. Scrambling with 14 men, there were some huge and great tackles. That's part of the game - you can make good tackles.

"In our defensive pattern you have to target someone like Jonny Wilkinson like the French did earlier in the year," he added. "We didn't target him to take him off the field but we were trying to cut him off from his back line and his kicking options."

Streauli also said he believed current perceptions about South Africa were working against them, particularly after a spectator ran on to the field and tackled Irish referee Dave McHugh in the Tri-nations clash with New Zealand last August.

"After what happened to us at King's Park and the spectator getting on to the field," he said. "I think there's a perception out there that we are an aggressive nation and that we have discipline problems, but I don't think so.

"It was quite interesting that England were just talking about our physical defence rather than the tries they scored. Obviously that's concerning them and they're worried about it.

"We're proud of the boys. They went as boys and came back as men. We didn't get the results we wanted but at the end, with 14 men, they showed huge character."