LIONS CAN TAME THE BEAST
Mtawarira wins 100th cap as Boks chase series-clinching victory but Itoje insists England can stop the juggernaut
MARO ITOJE says England can spoil Beast’s big day if they roar like Lions.
Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira becomes the first black Springbok to win 100 caps in this afternoon’s second Test at Free State Stadium.
Siya Kolisi’s coronation as South Africa’s first black captain inspired the Boks to an astonishing first Test triumph a week ago. The nation expects a repeat on England’s return to altitude.
But New Zealand were equally confident after the Lions were well beaten in their series opener a year ago – and they got a nasty shock.
“I’ve been in a few tough situations like this and it’s more than achievable,” insisted Itoje, one of six Lions in England’s starting line-up. “I’d like to think we can go one better (than in New Zealand) and win this series.
“Obviously we’re going through a very tough period and we’d rather be in a different situation but my message is ‘keep the faith.’
“I have 100 per cent belief in our group. The strength of character is very significant. As long as we stay together in the long run we’re going to be a very good team.” Time will tell. Five straight defeats, four in Tests, have dropped England from second to fourth in the world rankings. A heavy loss here and they could sink as low as sixth. Last time here they were stuffed 58-10 and, 11 years on, few give them a chance of winning their first series in South Africa. But Owen Farrell did not get where he is today by listening to prophets of doom. As captain, he has taken matters into his own hands, chairing a clear-the-air meeting on Monday and last night issuing a rallying call. “The last thing we do now is panic or worry,” said Farrell, who has picked the brains of Jonny Wilkinson, England’s match-winner when they last won in Bloemfontein in 2000. “We make things simple and clear so we can really go after it. “The main thing is to be decisive. We can’t half-do one thing and half-do another. Do that and you get caught somewhere else. “We must commit to the decision at the breakdown and trust our instincts. Winning a series here would be massive but we’ve got to equal things up first. “We can only do that by concentrating on what we do now.”