Springboks begin using ‘underhand tactics’ to derail England – English media

Erasmus is allegedly starting the “mind games” by naming the starting line-up he believes England coach Steve Borthwick will roll out for Saturday’s fixture at the Stade de France.

The reigning Rugby World Cup champions booked their place in the last four after a nail-biting 29-28 win over France on Sunday, while England saw off Fiji in their quarter-final just hours earlier.

South Africa have begun their underhand tactics to derail England ahead of the Rugby World Cup semi-final, wrote The Express.

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Erasmus addressed the media on Tuesday to preview Saturday’s contest and came armed with a piece of paper which had his predicted England team written on it.

Rassie Erasmus, South Africa’s Director of Rugby, has predicted the entire England team for Saturday’s Rugby World Cup semi-final as the mind games continue ahead of a rematch of the 2019 tournament final, wrote The Independent.

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When asked if he would read it out, Erasmus obliged, proceeding to name a full matchday 23, with only a replacement hooker omitted.

“Now, we’re guessing, obviously,” Erasmus explained. “We took the basic guys – [Ellis] Genge, [Jamie] George, [Kyle] Sinckler, [Maro] Itoje, [Ollie] Chessum, [Courtney] Lawes, [Tom] Curry, [Ben] Earl, [Alex] Mitchell, [Owen] Farrell, [Elliot] Daly, [Manu] Tuilagi, [Joe] Marchant, [Jonny] May, Marcus Smith or [Freddie] Steward. That’s who we think, but we might be totally wrong.

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And then the bench: [Joe] Marler, [Dan] Cole, George [Martin] , Billy [Vunipola] , Ben Youngs or Danny [Care], George Ford, and Ollie [Lawrence],” he added.

The 50-year-old couldn’t decide whether Marcus Smith would keep his place at full-back or whether Borthwick would recall Freddie Steward, while also suggesting that Kyle Sinckler would be promoted to start at tighthead prop.

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“They bring energy on the field in all departments, Erasmus said. “They’ve got [Kyle] Sinckler there, Jamie [George] and so many experienced players who played against us last time.

“I think because they played us end of year last year, and they played us at the Rugby World Cup and Rugby World Cup final, I think they’ll have some beef with us.”

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