Tindall focused on Springboks

Mike Tindall should be among the select few to receive an invitation to next year's royal wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton.

But Tindall, the long-term partner of Prince William's cousin Zara Phillips, has far less hospitable things on his mind as he prepares to tackle South Africa. England meet the world champions at Twickenham on Saturday in a clash that is routinely one of the most intense and physical in world rugby.

"There is always a lot of physicality and normally a bit of claret flying around. It will be the same (on Saturday)," said Tindall.

The Gloucester man will be at the heart of the action after returning to the starting line-up along with captain Lewis Moody, who was also rested for last weekend's win against Samoa.

England manager Martin Johnson has named the same starting XV that laid the foundations for the record 35-18 victory over Australia, with Leicester pair Tom Croft and Dan Cole also back in the team.

Tindall has been playing the Springboks for over a decade, dating back to the 2000 summer tour when England won in Bloemfontein to draw the series 1-1.

And whatever the relative strengths of the two teams going into the game, one thing never changes.

"They always hurt," said Tindall.

"South Africa will be gutted they lost to Scotland last week and they will want to come out and give us a good kicking and we have to be prepared for that.

"You never come off without a few aches and pains - we have just got to man up and take it."