Britain's ''Great Haul of China'' at the Beijing Olympics stands in stark contrast to the Saffers' solitary silver medal as eyes start to turn to the great North versus South rugby union clashes of 2008.

To Springbok fans, their traditional foes, England, have become their bunny and England's performances in the Six Nations this year and the introduction of Experimental Law Variations (ensuring a faster Southern Hemisphere game) have only strengthened this perception of servitude.

But credit where due and recently a surge in British sporting achievement, inspired by London's hosting of the 2012 Olympics, has appeared as an ominous sign to warn any over-confident Springbok fan.

Some call this evolution the ''Revival of the Fittest'' or the ''Golden Decade'' of British sport - but what might this mean in terms of rugby union  ahead of the Boks' tour of the UK in November?

On the rugby field, England may turn out to be more like the Duracell Bunny this season and wary Springbok fans are ringing early alarm bells in the hope that Peter de Villiers will wipe the Tri-Nations (and its disappointments) from the slate and focus on the formidable task that lies ahead.

The Springboks have had a mixed season. Where New Zealand's All Blacks gained from only three victories (two Bok wins and defeating the Aussies once thus far), the South Africans have undoubtably had the toughest season of 2008. It has taken its toll as the IRB's No.1 team crashed to No.3 overnight while trying to bite off a very big challenge this campaign.

The stiffest season in rugby union was reserved for the world champions in terms of not only its contenders, but intensity of timing. The Boks' programme included the Six Nations champions (Wales), Italy, IRB No.4 ranked Argentina, Australia and New Zealand (home and away) and England (away).

It doesn't get tougher than this and it has seen the world champions finally deflated.

That's the equation for England as they face the wounded Boks. Tilting the balance further, the seasonal ebb and flow of rugby union needs to be taken into account, with the North/South seasonal differential seeing the Boks take on England at the very end of this long season.

The ''Revival of the Fittest'' and an English squad inspired by London 2012 and determined to maintain Britain's 'Golden Decade' of sport, does mean hungry Springbok fans might starve if they're banking on feasting of their old bunnies.