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Brendan Venter has vowed to put the pride back into Saracens and turn the Guinness Premiership's great underachievers into title contenders this season.
Sarries have not won a trophy since they lifted the English Cup in 1998 and during those years the club that set the standard for professional rugby in this country have operated a revolving door policy with players and coaches.
Now, Venter, the former Springbok centre who helped turn London Irish into a team to be feared, leads his men into battle against his old club at Twickenham in Saturday's double header needing to convince the critics he can effect real change.
Venter, who has taken flak for bringing in a host of South African players after taking over as director of rugby, is ready to prove the doubters wrong.
He said: "Our owner Nigel Wray is the most committed supporter of all at Saracens and he puts his money into this club and all he wants is to be proud of the way we play. While we may not win every game, we will make our fans proud with the way we perform.
"What we will give is an intensity and the fact that captain Steve Borthwick and I are pretty driven people will rub off on the rest of the squad. We won't lack that against Irish but I am not arrogant enough to make any predictions about this first match."
Venter took his squad to Cape Town for three warm-up matches and a training camp even though it reinforced the view Sarries were now a South African franchise operating in England.
He strongly denies the charge, however, it is a stick that will be used to beat them all season. Venter added: "The South African players I have signed are guys who I know very well and they are now working with great English talent at this club and our fans know our future is unbelievable healthy.
"I believe we have a fit and confident squad going into the London Irish game. We are creating a great atmosphere at Saracens. Our season ticket sales are up by 30 per cent, we are playing at Twickenham and then Wembley which is a huge thing for us."
Borthwick has already forged a strong bond with Venter and believes the problems created by the departure of Eddie Jones as director of rugby last season and a number of squad members have been erased.
He said: "It does feel very different this season. The quality of player Brendan has recruited like Schalk Brits are gifted guys.
"There were alarms and it was an upsetting time last season but we didn't have the facts then. We have now signed world-class players to become a stronger side allied to the English talent coming through."
