England coach Eddie Jones says South Africa will be fearsome opponents but sees a few areas where they can be exposed.
Jones says England are bracing themselves for a massive physical assault from South Africa in Saturday’s World Cup final but added that he expected the odd twist too from the Springboks after they won a turgid semi-final against Wales on Sunday.
Jones was in Yokohama Stadium to watch South Africa reach their first final since he helped them triumph in 2007, and said he saw pretty much what he expected in a “tough and exacting semi-final”.
“They are a massively aggressive physical forward pack, they probably played their stronger team in the second half as opposed to the first,” Jones told journalists on Monday. “They are going to be a difficult side to beat but we know a couple of areas that we think we can expose them in.”
As for whether South Africa would stick with their kick and chase policy, Jones was wary – but only a little.
“Rassie (Erasmus) is a cunning coach so we’re prepared for the unexpected,” he said.
Will Rassie be grinning at full time of the RWC final? (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
“They can play in different ways. You saw Faf de Klerk do 15-20 box kicks in the game. We know they can play differently but we also know that they are going to come through the front door. There are not many Springbok teams that don’t come through the front door. So we’ve got to be ready at the front door and have enough cover at the back door too.”
Jones said his main role this week was to keep his players relaxed and not try to over-supply them with information, but that is unlikely to apply to scrum half Ben Spencer, who arrived in Japan on Monday ready to go straight on to the bench in the World Cup final in place of the injured Willi Heinz.
Spencer has played a total of 20 minutes of international rugby via three late replacement appearances – the first two against South Africa on last year’s June tour and the last against Scotland in March.
“Ben has been in and around the squad consistently for the last couple of years so he knows the game, he knows the players,” Jones said.
“It’s just a great opportunity ahead of him. He has come into the squad and has got to learn a few new things. He’s just got to learn a little bit more in the early part of the week and get himself physically and mentally ready.”
Jones said that both Jonny May and Owen Farrell were recovering well from the dead legs they received in Saturday’s win over New Zealand and expected both to be fit to play. He will name his team for the final on Thursday, with prop Kyle Sinckler the other main injury concern.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
So, do we really think that Rassie won't have a plan or two in place to serve up to the Poms? Hardly!!!
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Yeh well hopefully the Frog. Garces. can keep his hand out of his pocket/ Go the Bokke!!
Wyn
Guest
Haha - I must find those stories to gain the Aussie perspective on them. Maybe there is some similarity in that the might of the British Empire had to employ an Aussie to subdue a bunch of guerillas. Hopefully the similarity ends there and Eddie does not go rogue ...
Would be great if the Boks did show some new weapons in their arsenal.
Hopefully we don’t shift the pacific tectonic plates when the English and Boks collide :shocked:
Harry Jones
Expert
Chased by cobra venom.
Harry Jones
Expert
You know it's Pom-Bok time when the Boer War comes up, and I am getting all goose-pimply. Just like the English took it to the next level versus the All Blacks, the Springboks will max out on Saturday. As John Mitchell says: the two most powerful teams. Not necessarily the most skilled (but not unskilled), but it will be titanic clash of the hemispheric heavyweights. I just want to see old school Bok aggression, multiplied by a few ferocious factors.
adastra32
Roar Rookie
The hype is almost entirely media-driven. Few English fans/non-journalists see this as anything more than an assignment that is just as tough as last week but different. Nor I suspect do the players. FWIW Rassie, like EJ, has also been talking about Springbok competitive strategies; the Bok players about how they will use their knowledge of the English through being team-mates in the Premiership to make hay. It’s all part of the BS that is finals week.
Il Primo
Roar Rookie
It smells they are heading into an ambush...all Bonnie and Clyde style
oh my sack :shocked:
Brian
Guest
Gee, you bring up the Boer War and the English on and Australian website and you talk about sensitivity? You know Breaker Morant was primary school texts and audio stories for us right?
You are a tad too sensitive John. We have to listen to how good England are constantly (And yes they are good) However allow us South Africans to have our say as well. :thumbup:
John
Roar Rookie
I mean we have played SA 4 times in the last 18 months, including in November, so I doubt any 80 minutes of hell is coming anywhere. SA have played the same way for decades as it works for them and because it is a final, they have a chance to win, but SA have done nothing in the competition to suggest they are as good as England, so of course England are rightly favourites. Also is Eddie Jones not supposed to as England coach have a game plan to exploit SA weaknesses, just like Rassie will do for England, but then i forgot that according to SA fans, you guys don't have any weakness and your massive forwards will just run all over our tiny forwards
thanks RT.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Enjoyed that post Biltongbek .. good luck for Saturday
MikeJ
Roar Rookie
No need for a change of plans from Eddie. Just follow up from last week.
SandBox
Roar Guru
I’m sure the AB’s felt like England came through the back door after the semi-final...and the front door. They must feel well and truly shagged. Not that we faired any better. #MeToo-England
freddieeffer
Roar Rookie
Agree Corne, imo, the Boks have got to the final without declaring their arsenal. As the AB's did to Ireland, England did to the AB's. It is likely imo that the Bok's will ambush England and take the trophy home.
Beginning to think the English are being set up, and in a way they are setting up thrmselves as well. All this hype is going to bring overconfidence, the English marketing and media campaign is running wild. All about England this and England that, Eddie this and Eddie that. How England will exploit Springbok weaknesses etc. Meanwhile you have the underdogs going quietly about their business, their coach being ultra respectful and polite about how good this England team is. There may just lie a big surprise for the English, reminiscent of the Boer war when they were heavily outnumbered. This Springbok team is not going to lie down, England is going to experience the most physical battle theyhave faced for some time. These Boks know 80 minutes of physical hell will descend on the English. Because that is South African rugby.
Waylander
Roar Rookie
Greek ones?