Boks must beware of wily Jones moves, warns Davids
Astute England coach Eddie Jones will have tricks up his sleeve and the Springboks must be switched on and ready to react to them on Saturday, SA assistant coach Deon Davids says.
Recent clashes between these old foes have gone down to the wire and another nail-biter is expected in front of a sell-out crowd of 82,000 at Twickenham (kick-off 7.30pm SA time).
After losses to Ireland and France, the Boks got their mojo back with a thumping win over Italy in Genoa last weekend.
“We all know Eddie is a very good coach and he always has something up his sleeve,” Davids said.
“I don’t think it will be anything different in this game.
“We have to be on point in terms of our focus and how we will react to the challenges England will bring to us in the different departments.
“We are preparing for a tough encounter as always at Twickenham.
“The Boks are under no illusion it will be a big test for us and we are happy with last week’s result against Italy.
“But we know England will pose a different challenge.
“In all the different departments England are well coached.
“They are an experienced side and we have to be up for this challenge and prepare thoroughly for it.”
Davids said the Boks’ fourgame European tour was vital for ticking various boxes before the 2023 World Cup in France.
“Part of our journey this year was to ensure that we put ourselves out there and tried to get answers on different aspects of our preparation for the World Cup.
“That includes squad depth, in-form players and combinations and out strategy in terms of how we play the game.
“Also looking at threats and challenges we face from the opposition and how we can handle that and improve.
“I think we have a lot of answers on those aspects. We are not the finished product yet.
“But I think after this year we will have a good idea in terms of where we stand.
“England is an important game and an important step for us towards the World Cup.
“Playing the best teams in the world as preparation is the best practice you can get.
“So we will take every opportunity to do what we want to do, but also take good lessons from these games and try to be better next year.
“Saturday’s game is why it is called Test rugby.
“You want to pass and get a good result.
“If you look at all these games involving top-tier teams the difference is very narrow.
“You lose by one or points or you have a big lead and the other team comes back. England were magnificent this past weekend in terms of doing that against New Zealand.
“Teams will fight until the very end.
“The big lesson is to never switch off and stay focused and remember that it is never over until the last whistle.”
Bok head coach Jacques Nienaber has made six changes to his starting team, with Jesse Kriel (centre), Makazole Mapimpi (wing), Evan Roos (Number 8) and Eben Etzebeth (lock) back in the mix.