Born-Again Robinson

That is mainly because he could hardly hear anything, having been kicked in the head - a blow which was a gauge of the Springbok wildness on that shameful November day at Twickenham and left Robinson with a perforated ear drum.

True to his Born-Again Christian beliefs, however, Robinson was swift to forgive the malicious tactics of Corne Krige's side, instead feeling nothing but sorrow for the rugby nation who tomorrow stand between England and a potentially smooth route to the World Cup final.

It is a sorrow which will not be taken on to the field when England could do with a bit of that dazzling footwork which makes Robinson the most elusive runner in world rugby. But then neither does Robinson believe that the Springboks could dishonour their heritage again on the biggest stage in the game.

''A lot has been said about the last game we played,'' said Robinson. ''But that game's going to mean nothing come Saturday.

''The hardest thing was not forgiving them that day. I was just so disappointed for them, because although I don't know much about South African history I know they are a passionate rugby-playing nation.

''For them to come out and play those tactics was just desperately sad. The game's tough enough as it is played in the way it should be, which is very hard, but when those things happen it's disappointing.

''But we don't expect that at all in this game. Yes, it's going to be very physical. We're certainly going to be tested in defence mentally and physically and that's the way it should be. But we're looking forward to the game and are sure the referee will sort anything else out.

''Discipline is the key. In these big games you can't afford to give away penalties. That's why they won't be daft enough to go out and play the same way.

''We believe that is our advantage. We're a very disciplined team. We know teams have got great kickers and we know we can be punished by ill-discipline.''

Calm, composed, courtesy epitomised, Robinson has come a long, long way from his hell-raising days as a drinker and night-clubber while a teenager at Wigan rugby league club. His recent autobiography chronicles the depths to which he sank.

It tells how he nearly took his own life with a kitchen knife. And how he redeemed himself with the love of his wife and the aid of then team-mate Va'aiga Tuigamala.

Never, however, in those days did Robinson contemplate he would have the chance to play in such a vital game on such a global stage.

''Internationally this is as big as it gets,'' he says.

''At the moment I don't think I truly realise just how big this is. We are sheltered from a lot of things. I don't read the newspapers but I do know everybody is expecting a lot from this game alone.

''It doesn't seem long ago that I could never have dreamed of being here in rugby union, let alone at a World Cup. The reason I left rugby league was because I felt I'd done everything I could achieve.

''Rugby union has given me a lot of new challenges and now I'm involved in the biggest event there ever has been in the sport.

''That's all a sportsman can ask for. You want to win the biggest competitions. To win this prize would be the highlight of anybody's career but there's a lot of good teams out there. We know it will take a massive effort.''

No-one, however, exudes more positive karma than Robinson. Maybe it is the experience of all those crucial matches at Wigan and for Great Britain - and more recently for England and the British Lions - when invariably he has carried the burden of the potential match-winner. There is, he insists, no secret.

''You've just got to be smart,'' he says.

''I've learned over the years not to get too excited about a game, however big. When it comes to kick-off there'll be enough nervous energy going around. You don't have to get yourself up. You don't need to waste any nervous energy a couple of days before. The occasion itself will lift you.''

It helps, however, when you can rely on support and in that regard Robinson's phone has been buzzing this past week with calls from former Wigan team-mates Terry O'Connor, Kris Radlinski and Brian Carney, all of whom have their own big date tomorrow when they play Bradford in the Tetley's Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford.

''It's great that they are still following what I am doing,'' says Robinson