Marx ‘poses huge threat to England’

England have been warned they will face one of the most unusual and destructive players in world rugby on Saturday in the shape of Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx, a man his teammates believe adds another dimension to their side.

The 24-year-old missed England’s summer tour to South Africa due to a hamstring injury, but has made a full recovery and is set to face Eddie Jones’s men for the first time this weekend.

Marx weighs 115kg, almost the same as No 8 Duane Vermeulen, and is a breakdown specialist, making a jackal turnover once every 49 minutes in the recent Rugby Championship – a key ratio only just bettered by Australian specialist David Pocock, who averages one every 40 minutes in 2018.

Former Saracens hooker Schalk Brits, who is Marx’s understudy, says the Lions forward will be a huge threat to England at Twickenham.

“I like looking at the stats, and he makes one of the highest numbers of turnovers in our team,” Brits said of Marx.

“Purely from that perspective, and with the rules going the way they are, to have that kind of player making that number of turnovers says something about his capability around the ruck. He’s given not just the All Blacks but all teams from Super Rugby to international level a headache. “He’s phenomenal.

“His mentality is right and he has a great work ethic.

“He’s vital to how our team works together.

“He’s special.”

Just as special is Vermeulen, who has only lost once against England in five appearances.

That defeat came when England secured a consolation victory in their three-Test series in South Africa, but the 32-year-old says the Springboks are a better side now.

“The weather played a big part [in Cape Town],” Vermeulen said.

“Our game plan will be a combination of what worked for us in the Rugby Championship and one or two new things.”