England legend’s ‘pain is coming’ warning to Steve Borthwick’s side as facing the Springboks is ‘basically going to war’
Siya Kolisi tackling Ellis Genge in Springboks v England clash and Red Rose head coach Steve Borthwick.
Mike Tindall understands what it’s like to come face-to-face with a revved-up Springboks side, and that is what awaits Steve Borthwick’s England this weekend.
Borthwick’s side will take on South Africa on Saturday in the cauldron of Ellis Park in what will be a daunting challenge for the visitors.
The Boks are clear at the top of the World Rugby rankings and have claimed back-to-back World Cup titles.
England’s recent struggles
England, meanwhile, have lost four Tests in succession and warmed up for this clash when a France XV overcame the English second-string in Vannes last month.
The South Africans are renowned for their power up front and physicality around the field, something Tindall is well aware of, having faced them on plenty of occasions during his career.
While he tended to get the better of the Springboks, having been a part of the great England side that won the 2003 global tournament, the former captain and centre stated that it was always a brutal clash.
“Pain,” was Tindall’s response when asked on The Good, The Bad and The Rugby podcast what South Africa week meant.
He added: “You know the pain is coming. Fundamentally, it was about getting yourself mentally in the right place to go for a tear-up.
“Especially in that early period of 2000-2004. I think after 2004 I only played them once, in 2010, so it was all about matching them physically and basically going to war, which I quite enjoyed.
“It was sort of up my street a bit.”
Tindall was joined on the show by Jonny May, who had less success against the Springboks, winning four of the 10 matches he played against them.
May’s peak years, which were post-2017, came at a time when South Africa were under the guidance of Rassie Erasmus.
Become ‘harder and harder’ against the Boks
“It got harder and harder. They were – and probably still are – during my period of playing for England the best team in the world and the hardest match you were going to play, without a doubt,” he said.
“And not just the hardest match you were going to play but also how challenging the game actually is. You can play a good team like a New Zealand or a France and it can be a lot more open.”
May explained why it has become so tough against the Springboks and less enjoyable in comparison to facing the likes of the All Blacks and the French.
“You know they’re going to put you under so much pressure, you’re not going to have time and space, it’s going to be niggly, it’s going to be physical, there are going to be mistakes, and you’re going to be limited with what you get,” he added.
“It’s a very challenging match. As a back three, you’re going to be living on a bit of scraps.”