Comments on: Autumn Internationals 2014: South Africa team to play England

By: Hannes van Wyk

Hannes van Wyk — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 16:50:15 +0000

Must be one of the oldest Bok Teams in history

By: Morne De Bod

Morne De Bod — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 14:09:40 +0000

Ek stem jaco kriel is 20 keer bja beter as oupa mohoje …

By: justinjacobie

justinjacobie — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 13:17:07 +0000

Not a single Lions player even making the bench. Joke.

By: stu

stu — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 12:30:49 +0000

But looking at the England squad retained where does that physicality come from? Haskell may start in place of Wood but no other personnel changes. Without Tuilagi and Youngs England are overly reliant on Vunipola/Morgan and this reduces their impact as the defense can focus on them.

Maybe harsh on Robshaw and Wood but would a back row of Clark, Haskell and Vunipola be better vs SA?

By: The Baron

The Baron — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 12:04:01 +0000

I agree! Come on England!

By: Jonny

Jonny — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 12:01:34 +0000

Even with the changes made, looking from 1-8 compared to the likely England pack, with possibly the exception of Vunipola/Vermuelen, all the SA players are far more effective ball in hand.

Against NZ, the lack of metres made in general by the pack was a real stand out for me. This, in my opinion, is where the biggest change must happen for the forwards. If England are to win, the forwards must carry with a physicality that England haven’t demonstrated since the NZ game in 2012.

Le Roux is the key man in the back line. This may be a bit of a generalisation, but it seems every break or promising bit of play for SA involves him.

Dramatically raise the physicality in the pack, keep Le Roux quiet and I fancy England’s chances.

By: Alan Truter

Alan Truter — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 11:41:58 +0000

Good changes. We should win.