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South Africa v England Second Test Preview

Neill Simpson 16 th June 2018

If the first Test in Johannesburg is anything to go by then we are in for a real treat in Bloemfontein. Last weekend the hosts were left stunned after the first 20 minutes when they found themselves 24-3 down against England, three converted tries by Mike Brown, Elliot Daly and Owen Farrell, plus a massive penalty from Daly leaving the Ellis Park faithful in stunned silence.

However, a thrilling fightback led by man-of-the-match Faf de Klerk, gave the Boks an incredible 42-39 comeback win and the chance of securing the series this weekend.
 

South Africa v England First Test Highlights


 
Coming into the first Test there were question marks against Eddie Jones’s decision to train at sea level in Durban, and with this weekend’s clash also being played on the highveld, one wonders if England will be able to deal with another 80 minutes at altitude.

The conditions are expected to be very similar to last week, a firm surface with crisp dry conditions, perfect for an open and expansive game played at pace. The venue also delivers an average of 60-points per Test match!

Both sides have made just the two changes in their respective packs, while the backs remain the same. For the Boks Pieter-Stef du Toit comes in at the side of the scrum for Jean-Luc du Preez, while Frans Malherbe replaces Wilco Louw in the front row.

For England, Joe Launchbury returns from injury and will slot into the second row. Brad Shields comes in on the flank in the place of Chris Robshaw. Shields, a new Zealander, is a surprise inclusion to the tour, but brings valuable experience after playing most of his career in Super Rugby for the Hurricanes.

Tendai Mtawarira or “The Beast” as he is fondly known as, makes his 100th appearance for the Springboks, this landmark will for sure give the supporters and team a lift ahead of the game.

In the first Test, it was the experience of Willie Le Roux, Duane Vermeulen and Faf de Klerk that were at the forefront of their victory, while debutant wingers Sibusiso Nkosi and Aphiwe Dyantyi, also caught the eye on attack.

For England, Elliot Daly, Jonny May and Mike Brown were outstanding going forward last week and will pose a threat again, while they will look to their captain Owen Farrell to lead from the front if they are to stay in the series.

Head-to-head there are two battles that could decide the outcome of the test, Willie le Roux, Sibusiso Nkosi and Aphiwe Dyantyi versus Elliot Daly, Jonny May and Mike Brown. Last week it was the Bok back three that edged that one with four tries to three.

In the forwards, keep your eye on Duane Vermeulen versus Billy Vunipola, big ball-carrier versus big-ball-carrier, devastating tackler versus devastating tackler, pure physicality on both sides!

If England are to get back into the series another area they will want to improve in is the lineout. The Boks led by debutant RG Snyman, were superb last week in this department and the pressure in the challenge on England’s ball, resulted in several mistakes and turnovers in favour of the home team. One expects the returning Joe Launchbury will help this cause and also add some extra physicality going forward like Snyman did for the Boks.

De Klerk was quite brilliant last week, as he has been all season for Sale. The diminutive number 9 was a constant threat around the fringes, his lack of height creating a few issues in the tackle for the big men, Itoje guilty on a few occasions and lucky not to be sent off. The speed of his distribution dictated the pace of the game and one expects that with the game at altitude again this weekend, that tactic won’t change.

So the stage is set for a series win for the Boks or a leveler for England. South Africa won’t let what happened in the first 20 minutes happen again this Saturday, so I expect South Africa to wrap things up by a margin of at least 10-points

Teams

South Africa: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Sibusiso Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Francois de Klerk, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 RG Snyman, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Mbongeni Mbonambi, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.

Replacements: 16 Armand van der Merwe, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Jean-Luc du Preez, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 Jesse Kriel, 23 Warrick Gelant.

England: 15 Elliot Daly, 14 Jonny May, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Owen Farrell, 11 Mike Brown, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 Tom Curry, 6 Brad Shields, 5 Maro Itoje, 4 Joe Launchbury, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 2 Jamie George, 1 Mako Vunipola.

Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Joe Marler, 18 Harry Williams, 19 Mark Wilson, 20 Nathan Hughes, 21 Ben Spencer, 22 Danny Cipriani, 23 Denny Solomona.

Neill Simpson 16th June 2018
England Rugby Union Second Test South Africa