Boks’ Brits supports gutted England teammates after loss to Australia
THE burden of expectation proved too much for England as they crashed out of their own World Cup last Saturday, and since then there have been few supportive voices, writes Craig Ray.
But this week Springbok hooker Schalk Brits, who plays his club rugby for Saracens in England, offered his commiseration to his teammates and opponents that he meets weekly in the Premiership.
“We have a group chat with the Sarries boys, and after what happened I sent them a message saying: ‘Guys, I feel for you and although I don’t know exactly what you’re going through, I got a little taste of it against Japan’.” Brits was referring to the Springboks’ 34-32 loss to Japan in a World Cup opener that left them on the back foot.
“The World Cup is poorer without England in it,” Brits said. “I would’ve liked to see them do well, but definitely not better than us, because they are a great bunch of players and individuals.
“Hopefully they’ll learn and grow from this and it will be interesting to see what happens with their coaching staff and the team.
“In 1999 they didn’t do too well at the World Cup but went on to win it in 2003, so who knows?”
There has been a great deal of speculation in the media about the future of England coach Stuart Lancaster and his assistants.
Japan coach and recently appointed Stormers coach Eddie Jones said he would talk to the Rugby Football Union if they approached him about the job. Cue panic in Cape Town.