England coach Brian Ashton insists he is not looking for ''damage limitation'' despite leading a young, inexperienced side to take on the Springboks on home soil.

Ashton's young team of internationals arrived in the Republic ahead of their two-Test series against the host nation, starting in Bloemfontein a week on Saturday, and the coach was doing his best to put a positive spin on matters.

''We're not here to do damage limitation. We hope to be competitive and that all starts with a positive outlook,'' Ashton said.

''There is no negativity in this squad at the moment.''

Instead, Ashton said he was hoping to unearth a few stars on the tour.

''We all hope the players perform as we expect them to and that some exceed those expectations.''

The tour comes less than five months before the group clash with South Africa at the World Cup. However, that is not a factor on this tour, according to the coach.

''We can achieve a lot ahead of the World Cup and it was required in our World Cup build-up, as it was in South Africa's. There is still a lot of room to move before we finalise the squad at the end of June.

''There is a group of players out here that will be doing everything they can to make that training group and there is equally a group at home who will be doing the same thing.''

Ashton also dismissed talk there may be any advantage with an untried and untested group of players, stating that South Africa having two teams in the Super 14 final showed their strength.

England will prepare in Johannesburg at altitude before flying to Bloemfontein.