Preview: England vs Springboks

Preview: England vs Springboks

23 Nov 2012

RYAN VREDE, in London, analyses the key match-ups and picks the winner of the Test at Twickenham.

It shouldn’t be this way, but I sense the result of this Test will determine, in the minds of most, whether the Springboks’ season has been a success or failure. If, based on Heyneke Meyer’s standard, the Springboks want to be the best in the world, consistent victories over their benchmark, the All Blacks, represent the standard they must strive towards. And, having lost twice to the world champions this season, the outcome of this match is of relative irrelevance in the broader picture.

What a win will achieve is the stated goal of a tour sweep and indeed a significant step forward for this young and inexperienced team. The injury crisis they are enduring has been played down, but it would be grossly unfair to measure them against a standard they can be expected to achieve with a fully fit squad (as some have done). That said, I believe even the current group are superior to their embattled opponents across most key areas.

The Springboks have shown nothing on this tour to suggest they will replicate the comprehensive win they achieved here under Peter de Villiers a couple of years ago. Their kick-chase method has been lamented but statistics show it to have largely been successful in gaining the territory they seek. The sterility of their attack in the red zone is the real point of concern, with a high error rate further undermining their cause.

Of course the potential exists for something to click and for them to find a level of precision in their attack they’ve only exhibited at Loftus against Australia. However, the greater likelihood is for the Springboks to accumulate points gradually through the boot of Pat Lambie. For this to happen it is imperative that they are dominant at the gainline, forcing penalties in kickable positions. The responsibility will be on their primary strike runners to sustain their efforts through 80 minutes in this regard. They were excellent in patches over the last fortnight and when they’ve buzzed the Springboks have looked a force of note. Furthermore, if they can set up the rolling maul in good positions, England will have no response to the Springboks’ main attacking weapon.

England have shown themselves capable of contesting this facet of play well, stifling their opponents’ momentum. They’ve spoken all week about the level of physicality that will be required to blunt the Springboks, and how the visitors fare in the early exchanges will set the tone for the rest of the match.

They certainly have fronted defensively, conceding two tries on tour despite defending for touching 80 minutes (two halves when the opposition has been completely dominant). England will play a similar pattern to the Springboks, kicking deep and hoping to ‘play’ further up the pitch. The scrum will be an area they target, especially after the Springboks’ struggles in this facet of play against Scotland. If they gain dominance here, it will aid their cause to break down the tourists’ granitic defence. Similarly if they elevate their gainline play from their showing last week to boss the Boks, and create the time and space for Manu Tuilagi that Meyer so fears.

It would be a show of immense mettle if the Springboks produce a telling rebuttal to that examination. Many of the players are at the last hurdle of the longest season of their careers and a clutch of them have been carefully nursed through this week. It is critical that Meyer uses his bench intelligently, being sharp in his decisions in when to hook those who are struggling. I’ve watched from the stands as some of his charges have laboured on well after they’ve been spent, but England has the quality of player to exploit defensive vulnerabilities in a manner none of their previous tour opponents could.

I don’t believe it’ll be comprehensive, but I do think the Springboks will rouse themselves for the win.

VREDE’S CALL: Springboks by 6


271 Comments

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  • 101.WP-Forever: Reply to this comment
    23 Nov 2012, 10:20 am

    @katman-96:

    I can’t believe the Wooden Shoe closed down.

    In its place now is a grill house called Salzburger.

    I have not tried it yet, apparently it’s a new owner.

  • 102.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    23 Nov 2012, 10:20 am

    @WP-Forever-98: :) Do they know these Natalians travel….in packs?

  • 103.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    23 Nov 2012, 10:20 am

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-93:

    Oh my hat!

    :lol:

  • 104.ufo: Reply to this comment
    23 Nov 2012, 10:21 am

    @ryecatcher-95:

    i have indeed eaten their rye…

    another ‘rustic’ place… :wink:

  • 105.katman: Reply to this comment
    23 Nov 2012, 10:21 am

    @Jeraldjay-94: If you’re heading up Buitenkant Street towards Gardens Centre, just after Roeland Street you’ll see a vacant piece of land on your left used as a parking lot, and right next to that is Perseverance. Gets a little busy on Friday lunches, so get there by 12:30 if you can.

  • 106.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    23 Nov 2012, 10:22 am

    @i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-92: :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

  • 107.Liewe Luiperd: Reply to this comment
    23 Nov 2012, 10:22 am

    Wow a whole conversation about Portuguese restaurants and not one “Porra” reference?

    Don’t people use the word “Porra” any more?

  • 108.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    23 Nov 2012, 10:23 am

    @katman-59: What is Trinchado?

  • 109.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    23 Nov 2012, 10:23 am

    Finally got my DVD copy of “Fire in Babylon”

    (jeraldjay)

  • 110.katman: Reply to this comment
    23 Nov 2012, 10:23 am

    @WP-Forever-101: No, really? That’s very sad – one of the oldest restaurants in Cape Town. That big Dutch man (no insult – he’s from Holland) made me one of the best pan-seared steaks I’ve ever had.

  • 111.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment
    23 Nov 2012, 10:23 am

    @Brads-79:
    no brads, i brushed you off as the idiot. you need to get your own material, you cant use mine. put a little effort into your dislike or dismissal of me.

    do you want some help?

  • 112.Jeraldjay: Reply to this comment
    23 Nov 2012, 10:24 am

    @katman-105:

    Thanks buddy. I’m close by so will get their early to avoid the rush.

  • 113.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    23 Nov 2012, 10:24 am

    @Liewe Luiperd-107:

    Only you

    The rest of the country has moved on

  • 114.katman: Reply to this comment
    23 Nov 2012, 10:25 am

    @Liewe Luiperd-107:

    We’re
    scared
    of waking
    that
    guy who
    post like
    this.

  • 115.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    23 Nov 2012, 10:25 am

    @Sasuke-108:

    Asked and answered!

  • 116.Jeraldjay: Reply to this comment
    23 Nov 2012, 10:25 am

    @Dawn-109:

    Have you seen Marley yet?

  • 117.katman: Reply to this comment
    23 Nov 2012, 10:25 am

    @Dawn-109: The Sinead O’Connor song?

  • 118.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    23 Nov 2012, 10:26 am

    @katman-114:

    :lol:

  • 119.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    23 Nov 2012, 10:26 am

    @Liewe Luiperd-107: :lol:

    Porra woman are hot stuff!

  • 120.ufo: Reply to this comment
    23 Nov 2012, 10:26 am

    @katman-114:

    carlos…?

    :wink:

  • 121.Delki: Reply to this comment
    23 Nov 2012, 10:26 am

    I’m not sure what to think of the likely outcome of this game. Boks to shade it narrowly perhaps.

  • 122.katman: Reply to this comment
    23 Nov 2012, 10:26 am

    @Sasuke-108: It’s cubes of beef braised in a sauce made with plenty of white wine, garlic, chilli etc. If made well, it’s delicious. And you end up reeking of it for the rest of the day.

  • 123.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    23 Nov 2012, 10:26 am

    @Jeraldjay-116:

    Not yet

    @katman-117:

    No

  • 124.Rockn Rolla: Reply to this comment
    23 Nov 2012, 10:27 am

    @Dawn-99:

    LOL……i can see myself leaning back in the chair, half drunk, bottom buttons almost popping from over indulgence, toothpick in mouth and giving the 5 star chef the rundown in my best Hackney accent Gordon Ramsay style!…..it will work…….you can be the Whiskey and Champaign connoisseur (with a straw)

  • 125.katman: Reply to this comment
    23 Nov 2012, 10:27 am

    @Jeraldjay-112: Enjoy. A bowl of their trinchada washed down with a Windhoek draught would be my recommendation, but hey, it’s a free country.

  • 126.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    23 Nov 2012, 10:28 am

    @Jeraldjay-116:

    Please explain to katman that his has nothing to do with Sinead o’connor

    If I do it I will strip my moer

  • 127.ryecatcher: Reply to this comment
    23 Nov 2012, 10:29 am

    @katman-114: Who was he?
    “I am a Porra?’

  • 128.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    23 Nov 2012, 10:29 am

    @Rockn Rolla-124:

    Oh yes.

    Sounds lekker.

  • 129.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    23 Nov 2012, 10:29 am

    @Dawn-115: Where is the answer?

  • 130.ufo: Reply to this comment
    23 Nov 2012, 10:30 am

    @Dawn-126:

    an excellent documentary…

  • 131.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    23 Nov 2012, 10:30 am

    @Sasuke-129:

    @122

  • 132.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    23 Nov 2012, 10:30 am

    @Sasuke-108: @katman-122: Chicken is also cool though (hoender blokkies). Heavy on the garlic and wine, a little lighter on the peri-peri is my usual request. With a lekker sny of thick bread or a roll.

  • 133.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    23 Nov 2012, 10:30 am

    @katman-125: What is trinchada kattes?

  • 134.gunther: Reply to this comment
    23 Nov 2012, 10:31 am

    @Rockn Rolla-54:

    Dias Tavern.

    The Portuguese Embassy.

  • 135.katman: Reply to this comment
    23 Nov 2012, 10:31 am

    @Dawn-126: Don’t get uppity, young lady. It’s a good song. Check her out here, live on the Jools Holland show. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfIF5tThR3Q

  • 136.katman: Reply to this comment
    23 Nov 2012, 10:32 am

    @Sasuke-133: See post 122.

  • 137.Liewe Luiperd: Reply to this comment
    23 Nov 2012, 10:32 am

    @katman-114: lol.

    @Sasuke-119: except the mustachioed ones.

    @Dawn-113: whashamadder Prawny? Grumpy again today? Permanent PMS?

  • 138.Jeraldjay: Reply to this comment
    23 Nov 2012, 10:33 am

    @katman-117:
    A documentry on the rise of West Windies cricket in the mid 70′s.

    The days when a helmet was not part of your cricket attire.

  • 139.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    23 Nov 2012, 10:34 am

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-132: Sounds great, I think Nandos added that to their menu recently.

    Great topic starter :lol:

  • 140.gunther: Reply to this comment
    23 Nov 2012, 10:34 am

    Bod will knock you up one of his legendary Katembas.

  • 141.katman: Reply to this comment
    23 Nov 2012, 10:34 am

    Must run. Work is piling up.

  • 142.WP-Forever: Reply to this comment
    23 Nov 2012, 10:35 am

    @katman-110:

    Hans Roukema. He opened that restaurant with almost no budget back in 1961, apparently. In fact, apparently his friends were convinced to serve as waiters…Hans passed away in 2006.

    The good news is that the restaurant that has opened in its place, the Salzburger Grill, is managed by Wolfgang Weichbold (formerly of the Salzburger Hof, original Nelson’s Eye, Aldos in the V&A) and his son Richard.

    It’s still tiny, though.

  • 143.WP-Forever: Reply to this comment
    23 Nov 2012, 10:37 am

    @gunther-140:

    As long as we avoid extraball’s 25-year-old corked pinotage.

  • 144.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment
    23 Nov 2012, 10:38 am

    @Delki-121:
    no, the boks will win it convincingly and deservedly.
    rfu’s mistake was sticking with lancaster imho. he’s going to achieve for england another run of substandard to ‘brainwashed into believing its actually true’ mediocre results dressed up as a mighty and brave effort by the england players to have ‘achieved what they have so far’…. all the way up to the next world cup…

    if they’re lucky they’ll hail mary into the playoffs on the back of incredible luck on their part, some instances of really bad luck on their oppositions part and some dozy officiating.

  • 145.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    23 Nov 2012, 10:41 am

    Silly season has started early on Keo this year.

  • 146.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    23 Nov 2012, 10:43 am

    @Sasuke-145: Blame it on global warming ;)

  • 147.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    23 Nov 2012, 10:46 am

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-146: :lol:

  • 148.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    23 Nov 2012, 10:54 am

    Katman leaves and the conversation stops? :lol: its like the popular kid leaving and taking his ball with him.

  • 149.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    23 Nov 2012, 10:55 am

    Quiet…

    Cape Wankas Anon meeting…

    In progress.

    [Squelchsquelchsquelch]

  • 150.Jeraldjay: Reply to this comment
    23 Nov 2012, 10:57 am

    @Heavens Game-149:
    You so farking predictable.

    :lol:

    Hope your man shine at 10 tomorrow.

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