Our leader writes:
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South African sneers give England hope
I live in the part of south west London known as the 'Jaapie Triangle'. Brian Ashton could do worse than have a webcam here to capture the unquestioning belief of expat South Africans that the Springboks cannot lose the World Cup final.
Of countless taunts I could report, this one sums it up: "It's not been fair, all we've had to do is beat England twice to be world champions." Keep talking, keep sneering; I only hope a vestige of this imperiousness is harboured within the psyche of each Springbok.
Therein lies a problem for South Africa. They cannot disavow the hiding they gave England less than a month ago; this could sustain them or it could remove the essential need for any competitor to fear an opponent. This fear is not negative thinking, it is a spur, born of respect for an opponent, which forces you accept that you may need to draw on the depths of your being to win. Neither of these mindsets will be adopted consciously, which is why they are dangerous.
Mark Cueto's inclusion backs the policy of experience being paramount, but it is a close call because his form has been poor so far. Given Brian Ashton's success up to now I go with the coach on this, with the proviso that Dan Hipkiss comes on in the centre and Mathew Tait moves to the wing if Cueto does not do the business.
What England need to focus on are specifics. Talk of fate, purpose or power means nothing. For example, Alain Rolland is a good referee, but he is only human. He will be nervous and want to impose order as soon as he can. Shalk Burger and Juan Smith can both be reckless in the tackle area; England need to be first to the breakdown to make sure South Africa's back row have to drive them off the ball. It is easily foreseeable that they could give away a couple of penalties early on. If they are both kickable, that is 6-0, thank you.
Pressure in the scrum is a given, and if John Smit thought Mark Regan talked a lot the last time they met, you wait until England shove South Africa backwards.
It is in the line-outs that England need to raise their efforts further. Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha are the best pairing around and all England's ball must be secure. However, they have to have a strategy at every opposition throw. If they do not jump they must immediately drive or drop the South Africans, and when they jump they have to get up early and put pressure on the throw. They must not get caught in between. Oh, and as an afterthought to Ben Kay, do not even think of kicking the ball ever again.
Bryan Habana can be a devastating runner, so he must either be turned with kicks, or better still, the first two balls he gets should also come with Lewis Moody, Paul Sackey and Nick Easter. If England do kick for territory, they should target the wings and make them, not Percy Montgomery, return the ball.
Francois Steyn is a gifted player, but capable of blunders as well as brilliance. He is bound to be gung-ho early on and chipping behind him in the centres should find space and make him temper his speed in a rush defence.
Fourie du Preez is the best scrum-half in the world and England cannot lock him up completely, but they should force him to pass, rather than run. They must also be alert at free-kicks and penalties. In nearly every game so far, Du Preez has sparked danger with a quick tap, so he must be watched continuously.
That brings us to fly-half Butch James. Restrained though he now appears, this is skin deep. At the first chance they get, England need to ****le him. Although it went unnoticed, against Fiji he got caught with an elbow and, seeking retribution, charged into the next two rucks and appeared to forearm two players. Next time he might get noticed; another penalty, maybe a yellow card.
Elsewhere it is more of the same; the same commitment, bravery and hunger. Tackling on or in front of the gain-line, not giving away turnover ball. Above all, not giving South Africa anything, making them take any points they get, rather than being given soft chances due to over-enthusiasm or indiscipline.
Before you are tempted to complain that this is negative and cynical, you should watch in detail, as I just have, South Africa's last two games. When you see the amount of off-the-ball stuff carried out by the Boks, you might agree that I am only calling for cynicism to fight cynicism.
England are second favourites, but they have the chance to achieve the astonishing. Do it.
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I concur.
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