England Vs South Africa

[juankerr1983]

C'mon England!

 

[TheBokke]

All the SA boys talking it up here better hope for the best or else they will be sucking some humble pie.



I for one believe it will be a very close fought tight game right till the end. SA & England can't help themselves from looking for the man and not the spaces they just love the physical stuff to much.



It is what makes rugby great and all sports for that matter as varing styles are what big clashes are all about. For example Italy play defensive football and have won alot of WC but it would not stop people wanting to watch Brazil Vs Italy if they played it other.



Bring on a good game lets hope the citing commission does not spoil our game by making guys to scared to do anything.

 

[mirlos]

For what I´ve seen so far, I think 3N teams are much stronger than 6N teams nowadays, and it would be rare if South Africa losses against England. I thought France could present some fight and get, maybe, to the finals. Honestly, I don´t see that happening now. Anyway, I think no team will stand a chance against 3N teams this year. Nothing personal against England, and this impossibility to beat them includes Argentina also.

 

[Prestwick]

I don't think its that bad Mirlos. Remember that South Africa laboured twice against England in the Autumn of 2006 and only beat a 3rd string England side convincingly. Also, Australia drew against Wales in a keenly contested and hard fought match in the Autumn of 2006 and it was only until the 2nd match of Wales' tour of Australia that they put down a convincing win, again against a weakend Welsh side.

Ireland meanwhile completely blew away South Africa and Australia in their last meetings in 2006.

The Northern Six can compete with the Southern Hemisphere, its just that there is absolutely no consistency. One win, one loss basically and it is absolutely inexplicable.

 

[mirlos]

I don't think its that bad Mirlos. Remember that South Africa laboured twice against England in the Autumn of 2006 and only beat a 3rd string England side convincingly. Also, Australia drew against Wales in a keenly contested and hard fought match in the Autumn of 2006 and it was only until the 2nd match of Wales' tour of Australia that they put down a convincing win, again against a weakend Welsh side.

Ireland meanwhile completely blew away South Africa and Australia in their last meetings in 2006.

The Northern Six can compete with the Southern Hemisphere, its just that there is absolutely no consistency. One win, one loss basically and it is absolutely inexplicable.
[/b]

Maybe you are right. Whoever wins, I´m just hoping to watch a great match in a few minutes!

 

[Eternal Idol]

Maybe you are right. Whoever wins, I´m just hoping to watch a great match in a few minutes! [/b]

You will have to wait a little bit more, there aren't any matches today

 

[mirlos]

<div class='quotemain'>Maybe you are right. Whoever wins, I´m just hoping to watch a great match in a few minutes! [/b]

You will have to wait a little bit more, there aren't any matches today
[/b][/quote]

:blink: I was sure it was today! Thanx for the tip, mate, or I´d be all day sitting on the couch, waiting for the match to start!!

 

[Eternal Idol]

:blink: I was sure it was today! Thanx for the tip, mate, or I´d be all day sitting on the couch, waiting for the match to start!!
[/b]

You are welcome, I use this site to track the matches (specially because I've got the channels on TV or streaming):

http://www.rugbyrama.fr/rugby/coupe-du-mon.../calendar.shtml

 

[BokMagic]

I see a lot of England fans are again looking at that November game from last year as evidence that they can beat a full-strength Bok team. Only problem is, that wasn`t anywhere near a full-strength Bok team. Missing in action, from this weekend`s starting line-up, at that stage were: Percy Montgomery, JP Pietersen, Jacque Fourie, Fourie Du Preez, Bakkies Botha, Victor Matfield, Sir Os Du Randt, Juan Smith.....

Anyway, kinda agree with Bokean here. I can`t see it being the 20-30 point blowout that some are predicting. The English back row, with Rees and Easter in particular, looms large. Plus the Eng second row isn`t too shabby either. And I`ll see your Farrell, and raise you a... Butch James! Neither are really known for truly sparking a backline hey. Basically crash-ball specialists, who can kick a bit. On their day. Not too dissimilar to Traille at 10 for France last year November.

But I still believe that overall, the Bok pack will be too good for the current England pack. And there are more game-breakers in the backline for the Boks. The likes of Steyn, Habana, an on-form Fourie and Pietersen can all make something happen out of nothing, while I fear for the creativity of the England backs. Except for Catt, there`s not much creativity out there.

And as Wikus showed in the away leg of the tri-nations, where he produced very creditable performances in outplaying one George Smith and standing up well to one Ritchie McCaw, that he certainly won`t weaken the contest to the breakdown in the absence of Schalk. If anything, he`ll be quicker to the breakdown, and probably concede fewer penalties, although he won`t be shifting contact points like only Schalk can do.

So basically, even though I`m pretty confident that we should do the business, I won`t be making big predictions like 20-30 points. The Boks should do it, by somewhere between 8 and 12 points methinks.

 

[RC]

Farrell at fly half? Even though some people consider fly half to be south africas weak point, i still wish England the best of luck.
I was talking to a south african today and he was worried because he totally dicredits Butch James and they've lost Burger from the pack.

 

[shtove]

England have the grunt to match SA at set piece, maybe even dominate.

In the backrow a lot will depend on Corry - he looks like a lump, but sometimes he can really shift about the pitch and offload ball. He might link up well with Rees in attack. And although the suspension on Burger is strictly McDonald's - smelly, cheap and **** - England will at least be able to take a breather in defence.

Farrell at #10? Good luck with that - you never know ... fingers crossed. I wonder what philosophy the big fella has about sending Percy a few garryowens:

"How high do you want it, Brian?"

"Andy, shut the f*** up. Just make sure it doesn't go backwards."

SA has brilliance at 11 and 15, but get the English back three running from deep and they will be dangerous ... during this tournament would be a help.

England's biggest problem is Steyn at #12 - but he could also be their biggest blessing. Not wishing ill on the best newcomer in years, but he's only twenty and playing, what, his 5th start for SA, his 2nd at inside center? Mike Catt to do a Jonah on him.

SA by 12.

 

[Prestwick]

And although the suspension on Burger is strictly McDonald's - smelly, cheap and **** - England will at least be able to take a breather in defence.[/b]

You can say that again Shtove! Thats ruined my "Shalk Burger gets pinged drinking game" for tomorrow

Also, has anyone noticed that if England fail to get a bonus point in any of the other games (a fairly likely scenario), South Africa could in theory still end up top of the group if they get BPs in the rest of their games (again, a very likely scenario)?

 

[Garra de Puma]

It´s gonna be a tough game, no doubts about it, anyway i think that SA will clearly beat the british. I see a very consolidated team on one side, and on the other nothing but hesitation. Anything can happen, thats for sure but i bet por the south africans to win this game.

 

[stormmaster1]

I see a lot of England fans are again looking at that November game from last year as evidence that they can beat a full-strength Bok team. Only problem is, that wasn`t anywhere near a full-strength Bok team. Missing in action, from this weekend`s starting line-up, at that stage were: Percy Montgomery, JP Pietersen, Jacque Fourie, Fourie Du Preez, Bakkies Botha, Victor Matfield, Sir Os Du Randt, Juan Smith.....

Anyway, kinda agree with Bokean here. I can`t see it being the 20-30 point blowout that some are predicting. The English back row, with Rees and Easter in particular, looms large. Plus the Eng second row isn`t too shabby either. And I`ll see your Farrell, and raise you a... Butch James! Neither are really known for truly sparking a backline hey. Basically crash-ball specialists, who can kick a bit. On their day. Not too dissimilar to Traille at 10 for France last year November.

But I still believe that overall, the Bok pack will be too good for the current England pack. And there are more game-breakers in the backline for the Boks. The likes of Steyn, Habana, an on-form Fourie and Pietersen can all make something happen out of nothing, while I fear for the creativity of the England backs. Except for Catt, there`s not much creativity out there.

And as Wikus showed in the away leg of the tri-nations, where he produced very creditable performances in outplaying one George Smith and standing up well to one Ritchie McCaw, that he certainly won`t weaken the contest to the breakdown in the absence of Schalk. If anything, he`ll be quicker to the breakdown, and probably concede fewer penalties, although he won`t be shifting contact points like only Schalk can do.

So basically, even though I`m pretty confident that we should do the business, I won`t be making big predictions like 20-30 points. The Boks should do it, by somewhere between 8 and 12 points methinks.

[/b]

I think the November game shows the English can compete, but not at all that they will win. I agree with your analysis of the English forwards, but the problem is that they haven't amounted to the sum of their parts yet. The English back 3 have a the skills to damage any team, but can they be brought into the game by the backs inside them, and willl they get any decent ball. Too many doubts. SA have shown what they can do, they have shown they know how to play well as a team. The English sidehasn't really shown too much. I'm expecting SA to stay 5-10 points ahead, then to put some gloss on the scoreline at the end.

 

[dullonien]

Accoring to the Beeb, Catt will be lining up at 10 with Farell outside of him.



Link

 

[Sorp111]

"The Boks should do it, by somewhere between 8 and 12 points methinks."

"The English sidehasn't really shown too much. I'm expecting SA to stay 5-10 points ahead, then to put some gloss on the scoreline at the end."



The bookies have SA to win by 16 - about in the middle of your predictions. I would not back England with this handicap - though my thoughts are that it will be one of two extremes - SA by 5 or SA by 30.

 

[pat11]

for me South Africa is easily going to take it. the England lack of game to be able competed

 

[mister g]

Do you guys think Jonny Wilkinson is going to make a surprise appearance on the pitch tonight?

 

[pat11]

Do you guys think Jonny Wilkinson is going to make a surprise appearance on the pitch tonight?
[/b]

I do not think, but English snt able of everything

 

[mister g]

<div class='quotemain'>
Do you guys think Jonny Wilkinson is going to make a surprise appearance on the pitch tonight?
[/b]

I do not think, but English snt able of everything
[/b][/quote]


yes....wont be surprised if he's on the bench...