NIK SIMON: Rassie Erasmus begins mind games with Steve Borthwick as Springbok coach predicts England’s line-up for the World Cup semi-final – although he stops short of naming Smith or Steward as full back
- The last time the two met, South Africa won the 2019 World Cup final in Japan
- Erasmus had his predicted England line-up written down on a piece of paper
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus last night attempted to predict England’s team for the World Cup semi-final – although he stopped short of selecting their full-back.
The mischievous South African could not decide between Marcus Smith and Freddie Steward, as he awaits Steve Borthwick’s official team announcement on Thursday.
The last time the two nations met at a World Cup was when South Africa won the 2019 final in Japan and Erasmus believes England’s players will still have ‘beef’ about the defeat.
‘England because they are a massive speedbump for us to get over,’ said Erasmus. ‘I was looking at their possible team and we average 200 minutes per player; them 260.
‘The average caps in our team will be around 54; them around 59. Average age for us 30; them 29. Average weight 104 against 105. They’re unbeaten and have stuck to their guns.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has attempted to predict England’s semi-final line-up
England coach Steve Borthwick will have to be prepared for the South African’s mind games
‘Their team is full of belief. They’ll definitely be hurting, not just from the loss last year but also from the World Cup final in 2019.’
Erasmus had his predicted England line-up written down on a piece of paper at yesterday’s press conference.
‘Now, we’re guessing, obviously. We took the basic guys – [Ellis] Genge, [Jamie] George, [Kyle] Sinckler, [Maro] Itoje, [Ollie] Chessum, [Courtney] Lawes, [Tom] Curry, [Ben] Earl, [Alex] Mitchell, [Owen] Farrell, [Elliot] Daly, [Manu] Tuilagi, [Joe] Marchant, [Jonny] May, Marcus Smith or [Freddie] Steward. That’s who we think but we might be totally wrong.
‘Firstly, guessing their team it’s interesting – Marcus, will he or Freddie play? Marcus has the massive X-factor while Freddie is unbelievable under the high ball.
‘Will Owen play inside centre with Tuilagi outside or will Ford play fly-half and drop-goal everything there? They’ve got Courtney who can play lock and flank, he’s been such a rock at flank for them and they have the energy of the other two young loose forwards.
‘They bring energy on the field in all departments. They’ve got Sinckler there, Jamie and so many experienced players who played against us last time.
‘I think because they played us end of year last year, and they played us at the Rugby World Cup and Rugby World Cup final, and I think they’ll have some beef with us.
The South African coach stopped short of naming who will be England’s starting full back
Borthwick now faces a tough decision to select Steward, who missed the last game, or Smith
‘I think they’ll be very physical, they’ll definitely step it up in all set phases and then they have a team full of – Tuilagi, it’ll be a big job to stop him regardless of what position he plays.
‘Then you have Farrell, and the new scrum-half and I’m sure Danny Care and Ben Youngs will be in the mix.
‘But the new scrum-half is certainly someone who can light it up with his breaks around the rucks. There’re threats all over the park and it’s starting to get together for Borthwick.’
Source: Read Full Article