Ten years, 12 matches and one try that never was have passed under the bridge since England last beat South Africa but if reports of the Springboks’ decline have not been exaggerated, there has never been a better chance to put that right.
Described as bullies by Eddie Jones but of late cumbersome and unable to live with the speed and emphasis on attack that the best sides in the world can boast, South Africa have arrived in Britain brow-beaten.
Still, history can weigh heavy and while New Zealand’s defeat by Ireland gives the tantalising prospect of England taking their world-record winning run with an autumn clean sweep and another grand slam, it would be foolish to look beyond the Springboks. So what’s the secret to beating them?
“For England it will be a case of matching them physically first, as it was when we last beat them,” says Brian Ashton, attack coach when England beat South Africa 23-21 in 2006 and head coach for the World Cup final defeat to the Boks in Paris a year later.
“Despite the injuries England have enough good players up front, strong physical players and mentally tough players to stand their ground.
“It wasn’t a great game [in 2006], we scrambled a try through Phil Vickery, it wasn’t the prettiest thing in the world but it didn’t matter that much at the time.
“ I remember [Fourie] Du Preez didn’t play in 2006 and that made a massive difference. He totally destroyed us in the pool match at the World Cup in 2007 [that South Africa won 36-0] almost single-handedly.”
Attack
Elliot Daly is a surprise pick instead of Jonathan Joseph at centre, but this series offers England a chance to develop in an attacking sense, having triumphed so far under Eddie Jones this year largely through fire and brimstone. “[The attack] is probably the least impressive of all areas for England,” says Ashton. “I think there have been flashes but I can’t remember there being one game where you have been blown away. Given what we’ve seen over the last 12 months, it would suit England more if the game becomes broken up. But it’s a weird year 2016 – so maybe it’ll be the year South Africa come out and play rugby.”
Set piece
The referee is Jérôme Garcès, a stickler at the scrum, but parity can be expected between the packs. It is the lineout, however, that South Africa may look to target. “Courtney Lawes and Joe Launchbury will have to work hard but they’ve proved they can do so in the past,” says Ashton. “The key thing is going to be the reading of the opposition more than just the technical ability to get off the ground – who calls the right lineouts at the right places. The fact Dylan Hartley and Lawes play together at Northampton can help England in that regard. It’s a powerful South African lineout, though, with effectively three second-rows and if they suddenly get a bit of success they may play a more territorial kicking game.”
Defence
To laud England’s defence in Australia may seem contradictory, considering the 10 tries they conceded in three Tests, but there can be little doubting the abrasive edge Jones has given them. The Springboks will be equally aggressive, however. “Defence seems to be the king of England’s game. They’ve pulled in Jason Ryles from the NRL which I think might be just a mental and physical kick up the backside,” says Ashton. “If South Africa play a bulldozing game then England have got to stand there and confront it. It’s when the game starts moving around the field it becomes more difficult to defend.”
The breakdown
No James Haskell for England, still no out-and-out No7, but clear collective improvements in an area so exposed at the World Cup last year and facing a side that conceded 25 turnovers to the Barbarians last Saturday. “Haskell was outstanding on the Australia tour and he could well be missed,” says Ashton. “If you’re playing right across the width of the field the back row is not going to get to every tackle and so other players become really important. Lawes and Dan Cole have shown they are capable of winning turnovers so England might be hoping South Africa, who tend not to play out-and-out sevens themselves, want to move the ball around the field. I’m hoping South Africa give it a real go. It has been demonstrated around the world that if you want to win big games, that’s the way to play.”
