Dylan Hartley: England haven’t won against South Africa in ten years.. it annoys me and now is the time to end Bok beatings

I’VE never beaten South Africa in my England career and I’ll be brutally honest — that really gets to me.

So I’m determined to end our run of ten years without a victory against the Springboks a week on Saturday.

I know that it is not just me that has that burning desire to bring home the win for our incredible supporters at Twickenham and keep our unbeaten run in 2016 going.

There are other guys in the squad like Mike Brown, Jonathan Joseph, Owen Farrell and Dan Cole who have never been part of a side to beat the Springboks.

And they won’t need reminding of that, either.

Those past disappointments for us, including the 2-0 series loss in 2012, are a huge motivating factor ahead of what I know will be an extremely tough and demanding five days training in Portugal.

But I cannot wait to get out there and start working hard.

Most people head to the Algarve for a golf holiday. But there will be no gimmes for us on this trip, I’m sure of it.

Next week is all about getting up to Test-match speed.

We want this to be a hard, demanding and aspirational set-up.

You don’t just get given an England shirt, you earn it. And there are many sacrifices you have to make before getting that Red Rose on your chest.

We’ve got some new faces in the squad this time and we don’t need to chat about what is expected from people. Everyone has high expectations and standards and that filters down from the coaches through to all the players.

And it’s not like it’s the first rodeo for many of these guys returning into the set-up either.

We’re without two huge players in George Kruis and Maro Itoje through injury. Those two Saracens stars have been a big part of our success and progression this year. But now it’s a great opportunity for players like Joe Launchbury, Courtney Lawes and Dave Attwood to grab a Test shirt, play their hearts out and see where it takes them.

We know it will be a physical test against the Springboks — they are a proud side who never give you an inch.

Four years ago, when we had that tour down there, we produced a huge final push in that last game having already lost the series with defeats in Durban and Johannesburg. That day was my first as England captain, a really proud day for me — but one that was bittersweet as we drew.

The Springboks would have loved to whitewash us so it was crucial we took something from the series.

It was about showing the character, fight and stomach in Port Elizabeth to stop them when the chips were down.

Out of the nine games I have been honoured to lead this England side the one thing I know we will get from these guys is that never-say-die attitude.

For me it’s been another frustrating season so far spending some seven weeks out with a back problem.

I’ve been working around the clock at Northampton trying to get fit to make it back to play in the Premiership ahead of the next month with England.

Even though it’s tough watching the lads train during that time I’m excited to be back in the swing of things at Franklin’s Gardens.

I’ve been in the pool, the gym, the pilates studio and on the bike — and now it’s back to doing what I love, what I live for and playing for my country.