England backs coach Mike Catt has warned the national side that nothing can prepare them for what they will face when they tour South Africa.
South African-born Catt has toured the country twice for his adopted nation in 1994 and 2000. The 2003 World Cup winner has warned Mouritz Botha and Brad Barritt about the kind of abuse they can expect to receive on their return to the country of their birth in England colours, but says that there is nothing that can prepare them for what is awaiting.
"You can't prepare for it. You have to feel it. Stuart Lancaster has been sending emails for the past three or four months saying 'prepare yourself, prepare yourself, prepare yourself'," said Catt.
"Brad Barritt did a presentation for us in connection with what to expect from the country and what to expect from the people - but when it comes onto the pitch it is fierce, it is brutal.
"I remember us going down in 2000 and we played the first Test and then we couldn't train until the Thursday because we were so physically battered by it.
"These guys are going to have to be mentally tough and I think the environment we have created at the moment is going to put us into good stead."
Catt earned 75 caps for England.
