International Rugby preview: Wounded Springboks look to end tour on a high against England
South Africa will go into their final Test of the Autumn Internationals under severe pressure, as they aim to overcome a confident England side at Twickenham on Saturday on 27 November.
England have won two of their Test matches this November. The team’s only loss came against New Zealand, after England were defeated 26-16. However, their second half performance was encouraging and they have backed that up with a 35-18 win over Australia
and a 26-13 win over Samoa.
In contrast South Africa have had a disastrous tour. They began the tour missing 13 squad players through injury and just saw off a poor Ireland 23-21. Their 29-25 victory over Wales was less than convincing and their spectacular fight back, was as much
about Wales’ lack of ability to finish teams off than South African great play.
Before the Scotland Test, winger Bjorn Basson and hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle were suspended and sent home after they failed a drugs test taken after the Ireland game. Their 21-17 loss to Scotland last weekend has added to the pressure mounting on Springbok
coach Peter De Villiers and his coaching staff.
South Africa have made two changes to their team, after losing to Scotland. In comes experienced scrum-half Ruan Pienaar for Francois Hougaard and the dynamic Pierre Spies replaces the up and coming Ryan Kankowski in the back-row.
The Springboks will hope that they can put their performances behind them and the world class second-row of captain Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha must dominate the line-out if they are to beat England.
England have made four changes to their team for the match against the Springboks. Captain Lewis Moody comes back into the team, after he was rested for the Test with Samoa.
British and Irish Lion Tom Croft returns at flanker, while Dan Cole will replace prop David Wilson. Experienced centre, Mike Tindall will move back into the inside centre at the expense of Matt Banahan who impressed in the Samoa match. Banahan is rewarded
with a place on the bench and Delon Armitage is the unlucky player to miss out.
Dave Attwood also drops out of the match-day squad and veteran Simon Shaw takes the lock’s position on the bench.
England should dominate the scrum and the battle between the two packs is likely to decide the outcome of this match. Both teams play a forward-orientated game and England may have a slight edge.
England will go into the match as strong favourites. Their performance so far and the Springboks poor displays, albeit with a depleted team would suggest that the English should win the Test comfortably.
However, English coach Martin Johnson will know that the Springboks are a dangerous team when under pressure and they still contain many of the squad members that lifted the World Cup. The supporters and media may believe that England will win comprehensively,
but Johnson will know his team must perform, if they are to beat the South Africans.
Prediction: England 18 South Africa 21
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