South Africa really pack a punch up top

IMAGINE you’re a Springbok and you’ve seen your boss banned from Twickenham and no player from your No.1-ranked team shortlisted for world player of the year.

You’d be pretty fired up to face England wouldn’t you? I know I would.

Now put yourself in the home changing room, looking at the empty spaces where Owen Farrell, Jamie George and Ellis Genge usually sit.

You have two front row boys with one start apiece to their name and you’re facing the most formidable forward pack in the game.

It’s clear why South Africa are favourites this afternoon. They are unbeaten, fit and motivated to deliver a performance for their shamed director of rugby Rassie Erasmus (below).

Playing against the Boks is an entirely different prospect to any other team. There is an almost religious fervour for their set-piece and the power play of their forwards.

In South Africa props are revered first, second rows after them and back rows after that. Yes, they have excellent backs but this is a team historically built on the might of its pack.

Make no mistake, they will be coming for England. They will be gunning for England’s eight.

That does not mean Courtney Lawes’ team are without hope but they will have to manage South Africa’s formidable set-piece threat.

England can’t allow them an advantage at the set-piece, particularly the scrum. They must control their own possession, make sure it doesn’t finish in a mistake and thereby minimise the number of scrums.

There’s no point them trying to play through four phases, as they look to, only to drop it on phase three and give up a scrum that the Boks control.

England have to get rid of the ball at the right time and on their own terms. Kick smartly, field the high ball.

If they stay focused for 80 minutes and ensure their defensive effort matches the intensity of the Boks’ assault, you just never know.

My head says South Africa to edge a tight, brutal contest. My heart, unsurprisingly, disagrees.