Ding, ding!: It's Round Two
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South Africa have drawn first blood and will be hungry to wrap up the series with another win over England in Jo'burg on Saturday.
If you thought last weekend's clash was brutal, just wait for the next 80 minutes as these two sides were just getting warmed up.
It's a must-win for the battered and bruised visitors as they attempt to end an eight-match losing streak against the Springboks in order to level proceedings and set up a series decider on June 23.
It's been 12 long years since the English last managed to beat the men in green and gold on their home patch and the challenge is expected to get even tougher as the series moves from sea level of Durban to the Highveld.
The Springboks' limited preparation after only coming together as a squad a week ago will also no longer be a factor. Bok coach Heyneke Meyer has had another week to impress his game-plan on the team and they will be better for it.
It just goes to show how important it was for Stuart Lancaster's troops to beat the undercooked Boks (featuring four new caps as well as a new lock combination) in order to take that all-important 1-0 lead in the series.
Now the English are playing for survival at the fortress of South African rugby, Ellis Park, where the Boks won their first world cup and are just about unbeatable.
But it's not all doom and gloom for the visitors.
In the first 40 minutes in Durban, Lancaster's men more than held their own and for a time the home side were rattled. The half-time score of 6-6 will also give England cause for optimism, but the trick now is to push on for the entire 80 minutes and combat the surge of power from the massive Springbok pack that killed off any chance of the tourists claiming victory.
England also need to find more rhythm on attack. With the exception of Ben Foden's late try, they hardly troubled the Springbok tacklers. Changes to their backline are set to add more attacking sense with a new fly-half, centre combination, wing and full-back lining up in the City of Gold. In fact, only two players - right wing Chris Ashton and scrum-half Ben Youngs - stay where they started at Kings Park.
Their hope will be to move the ball around more, creating holes on the outside and trying to move the Bok pack around the field until the openings come.
Lancaster's change of tactics has put the Boks on high alert, but Meyer - having had more days to prepare - will no doubt have a few tricks up his sleave too and has already fired a warning that the hosts weren't even close to being at their best last time out.
"This team is not even five per cent toward where I want them to be," said Meyer.
"It is important that we lift our standards this weekend."
And that can mean only one thing: England are in trouble.
Ones to watch:
For South Africa: There's one change in South Africa's starting XV, which sees young utility back Pat Lambie step in for the crocked Zane Kirchner. The baby-faced Bok made a good second-half appearance off the bench last weekend and now has the ideal opportunity to cement the full-back spot as his own.
For England: England need to unlock South Africa's well drilled defence and the creativity of Jonathan Joseph could be the missing key required. The London Irish centre will make his first start in Johannesburg when he comes in for the injured Brad Barritt - although Manu Tuilagi will shuffle across to inside centre. The 21-year-old came off the bench for a brief cameo in Durban, but he will now be given the chance to impress as England look to add a cutting edge to their backline.
Head to head: Morne Steyn v Toby Flood. Steyn's accuracy and distance from the tee normally punishes any indiscipline, but he had a rare off-day in Durban. However, South Africa's goal-kicking ace is closer to home this week on the Highveld, where he will be looking to make amends with a flawless kicking performance...and perhaps another try? Steyn's opposite number Flood - starting for the first time since the 2011 World Cup quarter-final loss to France - faces the biggest test of his game management in England colours. The recalled Leicester star has ousted 20-year-old Owen Farrell from the pivotal role, and gets an opportunity to unleash some frustrating periods on the sidelines against the Boks.
Recent results:
2011: South Africa won 22-17 in Durban
2010: South Africa won 21-11 in London
2008: South Africa won 42-6 in London
2007: South Africa won 15-6 in Paris
2007: South Africa won 36-0 in Paris
2007: South Africa won 55-22 in Pretoria
2007: South Africa won 58-10 in Bloemfontein
2006: South Africa won 25-14 in London
2006: England won 23-21 in London
2004: England won 32-16 in London
2003: England won 25-6 in Perth
2002: England won 53-3 in London
Prediction: England might not be the same team this weekend, but they still need to lift their game if they are to stand a chance. Having been together longer, South Africa now have less excuses if they lose. But luckily for them, we don't see that happening with the added benefit of altitude playing to their advantage. It makes the home side even stronger favourites this week than it did last week and that is the level of challenge facing England. South Africa to win by seven points.
The teams:
South Africa: 15 Pat Lambie, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jean de Villiers, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 François Hougaard, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Juandré Kruger, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Werner Kruger, 18 Flip van der Merwe, 19 Keegan Daniel, 20 Ruan Pienaar, 21 Wynand Olivier, 22 Bjorn Basson.
England: 15 Ben Foden, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Manusamoa Tuilagi, 11 David Strettle, 10 Toby Flood, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Ben Morgan, 7 Chris Robshaw (c), 6 Tom Johnson, 5 Geoff Parling, 4 Mouritz Botha, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Dylan Hartley, 1 Joe Marler.
Replacements: 16 Lee Mears, 17 Alex Corbisiero, 18 Tom Palmer, 19 Thomas Waldrom, 20 Lee Dickson, 21 Owen Farrell, 22 Alex Goode.
Date: Saturday, June 16
Kick-off: 17:00 (16:00 BST, 15:00 GMT)
Venue: Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg
Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Steve Walsh (Australia), Simon McDowell (Ireland)
Television match official: Iain Ramage (Scotland)
By Dave Morris
Comments
objetive says...
Let me clarify: BEFORE coaching and admin structures come into play, based on raw out and out talent, SA has the best pool of players in the world. This has been stated and admitted by foreign coaches many times (even Clive Woodward admitted this). The only reason we are not consistently no 1 is that we are let down by our admin (constant infighting, political interference and selfish shortsighted decisions - I know all countries have some of this but SA has far more) and we normally have one good coach followed by one bad coach (worse ratio than any other country). So, don't look at how NZ play now (with all these extranous factors in their favour) when considering who has the best players. Rather, accept SA does but that NZ and Aus (in particular) are best at honing what talents they have into the best they can be.
Posted 12:19 15th June 2012
JamieTheProp says...
Should be a good game - I always said that this tour wasn't about winning for England (although that would be a bonus) but was about experience, trying different combinations and developing a style of playing.
Everyone is harping on about this being an inexperienced Bok side but it still has double (or more) the caps of the England side it is facing.
I think SL is doing all the right things and we should target the 6 Nations to start seeing the fruits of what he is doing and then hopefully build from there.
For once England have a talented pool of players coming through and for once they are getting opportunities - that can only be a good thing.
At the moment all the SH teams are streets ahead of their NH counterparts (last weekend showed that) but England (and Wales) are starting to go in the right direction. Let's see where it takes us...
Posted 12:06 15th June 2012
markpat says...
Personally, I think keeping to within 7 would be a good result for England, I actually expect to see SA have the confidence to use their backs a little more this time aroundm but then again, I'm often disappointed by their lack of creativity, despite the talent of their backline.
For the people commenting that Tuilagi's distribution is poor, exactly the same thing was said about Nonu for years. He's now the top inside centre in the world and NZ have no kicking option outside Carter. Jauzion has been the top inside centre in northern hemisphere rugby for years and does not provide a kicking option either.
In my opinion, England need to persist with Tuilagi at inside centre as his skillset is much more suited to 12 than to 13. But then, I've been saying a a couple of years that he should be 12 with Joseph at 13. The inside runner also becomes much harder to defend with a viable running option at 12 for defences to concentrate on.
Posted 11:53 15th June 2012
Carpelone says...
Can't see England win this. Altitude will favour the boot of both Steyn. Flood's boot was erratic this year. In addition, the Boks will probably outscored England by 2 or 3 tries to 1 (or zero). This means a gap beyond the double break, unless the Boks will control the game (things which I hate, just play 80 minutes of 100% rugby, like the ABs always did).
Still lot of work to do on the team.
Front row: best in class
Second row: unconvinced if we can challenge the ABs here;
Back row: work in progress. One of the senior players can be back, but only one at a time (either Juan Smith or Schalck Burger)
Half backs: Decent. People criticise Steyn, he is not DC but he is one in business, he can even score tries. I would love to see Lambie here and can't wait for Goosen. Hougaard could improve his kicking and his control on the match, but is handful around the set piece and helps tighten the defence and open room out wide;
Centers. We need to find the successor of Fourie. JdV is ok, but not up for the task at international level. Steyn best 12 in business;
Back three. Ok at the moment. Methinks it would be difficult to see Lambie playing together with Aplon, as you can afford only one small player here. Mvovo to be tested soon.
As said, still a lot of work to do, but overall I see a huge potential
Posted 11:51 15th June 2012
APV1 says...
@ Sharkyzulu - with our recruitment policy, if he ain't been capped, he's fair game!!
;-)
Posted 11:50 15th June 2012
jestnation says...
I really hope Manu proves me wrong but I'm really concerned about his lack of distribution skills.
Look at the great 12s, be they tanks or whippets, they've all had great passing games, a decent kicking game and a play makers brain. The really great ones hav that ability to operate off the cuff, to break from a set play because they see a better option and I just don't see Manu in that mould.
He's a powerhouse strike runner, he's not a thinker.
That said we need to find a way of incorporating both him and JJ into the side as alongside Foden they are our real dangermen in attack.
If we're commiting to this going forward then both Manu and JJ need to be given the next year in these positions to develop an understanding and awareness rather than judged on what happens on the rest of this tour. We've seen plenty of players picked, discarded and shunted around the pitch over the last few years and it's not helped them or the team.
Posted 11:42 15th June 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
Objetive: SAf have best players in the World? Joke. Only Bismark would contend for a world 15 spot. That's one more than England but comparing Boks to ABs is comical. At home they'd give ABs a hard game but ABs will get better and thrash boks on neutral ground at WC if SA manage to get far enough to play ABs. They just got a better head coach too and ABs probably won't get beaten for a long time now. Only a fully fit rested Oz at home might do it, but probably not either.
Posted 11:36 15th June 2012
scot_rsa says...
Meyer demands improvement every game, his comment about being 5% toward his goal is telling, this guy is ambitious but also meticulous. Wonderful contrast to PdV's vague statements and his ability to survive the chop even when things were clearly on the downslope. Also think the Boks will take it by more than 7 and don't agree JP Pietersen is a weak link, he always steps up for the Boks whatever he does at the Sharks. Also ,any penalties conceded by England within 60 metres are Frans Steyn territory at altitude. I wish England well as they are being brave and experimental, but tomorrow will be a hard day at the office.
Posted 11:23 15th June 2012
APV1 says...
@ objetive - I think I'd accept a statement that SA has SOME of the best players in the world, but your's is a little far-fatched and niave for my liking.
England by 6 - we'll have learned our lessons of last week; will play a more expansive game, with some real talent out wide; and have a much stronger bench. SA have a weakend bench, compared to last week, which also works in our favour.
I, too, am a little excited, In fact, I think a little bit of wee just leaked out.
Posted 11:21 15th June 2012
Sharkyzulu says...
IF the Boks play with the fire and commitment they showed last week, they should win easily on the back of improved cohesion following an extra week together.
However the Boks biggest danger is complacency - just because we beat England last week doesn't give us a headstart on the scoreboard this week.
@ Dylbull: Jamie Joseph is a Kiwi loose forward who retired about 10 years IIRC. I think the English foreign recruitment may have gone a step to far if they've picked him to play outside Tuilagi! Ha ha! ;-)
Posted 10:58 15th June 2012
hayj05 says...
People keep bringing up the 6 - 6 half-time scoreline as a positive but I actually think it's a negative because the Boks were very flat in that 1st half & England could only manage parity. When they turned it up in the 2nd, England had no answers.
Englands only chance is if they play an expansive ball-in-hand game because no one in World Rugby can match the Springboks for physicality when they're up for the battle, especially when they're playing at home. It's how the AB's have countered the power of the Boks for years. England looked good when they set up for their only try, but there's no point in starting to play like that when the game's already gone.
Good luck to England but I think it will be the Springboks by 12
Posted 10:29 15th June 2012
FISH says...
S.A in for a win ....no doubt....everyone keeps saying that the english would have improved this time around......what makes everyone think the springboks wont have improved either.....esp with a full training week .......S.A by 7+ a comfortable win
Posted 10:28 15th June 2012
deanbean says...
Can't wait!!
Posted 09:45 15th June 2012
Dylbull says...
I'm South African but I am very keen to see Jamie Joseph play, he is an exciting talent. I do worry that he may not get enough ball being outside Tuilagi, Tuilagi is a strong runner but distribution isn't exactly his strong point.
England will be more competitive in the second 80 simply because they have a better prop on the bench and won't get dominated in the scrums come the end of the game.
Great to see Lambie starting and excited about the possibility of Basson coming on in the second half.
Looking forward to another cracker!!!
Posted 09:43 15th June 2012
Wallaroo says...
If the Boks play the full 80 minutes it will be game over for England, but the Boks are unreliable and have not played to their potential for some years. So it could go either way, having said this if I was a betting man I'd more readily put my money on the Boks.
Posted 08:49 15th June 2012
Ruggernaut says...
England must exploit JP Pietersen out wide if they are planning a more attack-minded approach this weekend. He is looking very shaky on defense eversince he returned from injury. We've seen it many times in The Sharks team during this year's Super XV. If England can get him rattled out wide, their impressive backline may stand a chance of drilling a hole into South Africa's defense. Can't wait for the game tomorrow.
Posted 08:48 15th June 2012
objetive says...
SA will win by more than 7. SA has the best players in the world. They just need a half decent coach (which they now have) and they immediately vie with NZ for supremacy. Just watch the next 4 years. They will arrive at the next RWC as favourites (together with NZ).
Posted 08:45 15th June 2012