Stransky says ‘formidable’ Boks will beat England as Jones drops full-back for clash
WORLD CUP legend Joel Stransky warned England they are in for a bashing from the Boks on Saturday.
Stransky, whose extra-time drop goal won South Africa the 1995 World Cup Final, said the tourists heading to Twickenham are “men possessed”.
“This is a formidable outfit, full of big, strong players,” said Stransky. “It will suit the conditions. They are on a mission and confident.”
Stransky factors into his thinking that England have lost half their forward pack to injury in Billy and Mako Vunipola, Chris Robshaw, Courtney Lawes and
Joe Launchbury.
“Us backs like to think we win games, but actually they tend to be won and lost up front and this is a formidable Springbok pack of forwards, one I expect to dominate,” added Stransky.
To make matters more difficult for the
Red Rose, Nathan Hughes is banned and Joe Marler has retired. Yet, boss Eddie Jones sacrificed another 72 caps worth of experience by dropping full-backcum-wing Mike Brown for the first time yesterday. He also released forward trio
Sam Underhill, Ben Morgan and Michael Rhodes from England’s training camp in Portugal.
Stransky (above) said: “This Springbok team will now be thinking, ‘If there’s ever an opportunity to come and beat England at Twickenham in the build-up to a World Cup, this is it’. “If there’s a team we enjoy beating almost as much as the All Blacks it’s England. To do it at Twickenham would be unbelievably special.” South Africa beat world champs New Zealand in their own backyard last month (celebrating, left) and Stransky reckons they are a far better side to that which lost a dead rubber to England in Cape Town in June.
“We’ve come a long way since then,” he cautioned. “Our head coach Rassie Erasmus is clever. He will know that England at home are formidable, but he will pick a team that is big, strong, powerful and suited to the conditions.” Despite their problems England are favourites to get the four-Test autumn campaign off to a winning start – not least as Premiership clubs are not allowing Faf de Klerk, Willie le Roux and Francois Louw to play. England’s Maro Itoje said: “English rugby is about being confrontational and these are the challenges you want.”