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Johannesburg - Hannes Marais, who captained the Springboks in the 1974 series against the British Lions, as they were then known, agrees with his old adversary Willie John McBride that the scrums could be the basis of success in the coming Lions series.
He has also warned that complacency could be the downfall of the Springboks.
The Lions under McBride won that series 3-0 on an unbeaten tour, with the last drawn Test at Ellis Park the only blemish on their record.
"They had a wonderful scrum, not so much for their individual strength and technique, but because they knew one another and they were well organised," said Marais.
"They were a good side - and I think we still don't give enough credit to them for that fact. Instead, there is still so much emphasis that we were a poor side and that selections cost us the series.
"However, I think the signs were there when we toured the UK on what is now known as the 'demonstrations tour'. They beat us, and yes, the demonstrations did disrupt us, but we should have realised then that British rugby had improved."
Marais added that the loss to England in 1972 at Ellis Park and the Lions win in New Zealand in 1971 were further examples that something positive was happening in British rugby.
"Even when they beat all our top provincial sides in 1974, the scepticism about their strength remained. We didn't read the signs and I personally think we paid the price for that."
The former tighthead warned about complacency for the coming series - and without saying so explicitly was critical of the fact that Springbok coach Peter de Villiers had critisised the Lions selections.
"Dok Craven would also boost the opponents to his players. That kept them motivated," said Marais.
The former Bok captain in 1971 became the first - and still only - South African skipper to lead a touring side on an unbeaten tour when they won all 13 their matches including three tests in Australia.
As a former convener of the national selectors in the days when the selectors still picked the teams and the coaches coached, Marais said much of the 2009 Lions' success will depend on the captaincy of Paul O'Connell.
"Is he really the right man for the job, better than Brian O'Driscoll just because he's a lock? If not, they could have problems, for rugby is like a recipe. You can have all the ingredients, but if they're not mixed correctly the product cake will flop.
"McBride was an outstanding captain. With Syd Millar they had been here before, and they had a good team that gelled.
"The 1970 All Blacks to South Africa were perhaps as good as the 1974 Lions, but they didn't get that mix right - and the rest is history." Coming back to the scrums, Marais agrees with McBride that this facet of the game, along with the lineout, is crucial.
"It is necessary to have these two strong pillars to build on. The Bulls and the Sharks on Saturday would not have won without solid scrums."
And that brought him to John Smit.
"John is obviously an outstanding captain, even irreplaceable. He is an inspiration to his team and they believe in him.
"However, I am of the opinion that we cannot afford to go into the series with John at tighthead. He has battled or at least been uncomfortable every time he has played there for either the Springboks or the Sharks.
"Peter de Villiers, if he has decided he won't go with another captain, must play John at hooker, where he is still one of the very best. If the coach feels otherwise, he should select another captain, not compromise with him at tighthead."
Sage words from a man who thinks before he speaks, and who is better qualified than most after 35 Tests - then a record - plus another 40 tour matches for South Africa in this toughest position of all.
