The England team intends to harness the emotional adversity they experienced in the Rugby World Cup semi-final against South Africa to fuel their growth and advancement. Image by SA Rugby website.
Springbok World Cup winner: England are trying to copy us
This Springbok legend has questioned England’s decision to try and emulate one of South Africa’s key strategic manoeuvres.
The England team intends to harness the emotional adversity they experienced in the Rugby World Cup semi-final against South Africa to fuel their growth and advancement. Image by SA Rugby website.
Legendary Springbok duo Schalk Burger and Jean de Villiers say there’s all-round confusion regarding England’s plan to adopt South Africa’s defensive system.
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Speaking with fellow ex-Bok Hanyani Shimange on World Rugby’s latest instalment of Boks Office, Burger and De Villiers felt the English looked out of sorts adopting South Africa’s rush defence in their Six Nations opener against Italy last week.
For some background, England poached the Springbok’s defence guru, Felix Jones, as part of their plan to improve their own defensive structures.
But after England’s Six Nations clash against Italy, which was Jones’ first real challenge with the team, Burger and De Villiers believe it’s difficult to see what exactly Jones’ role within Steve Borthwick’s England coaching group actually is.
BURGER AND DE VILLIERS GIVE VERDICT ON ENGLAND
“Last year, they [England] played to their strengths. They had the best defence at the World Cup and best kicking game at the World Cup.” said Burger.
“This year, we all see Felix Jones is going across there and I thought what a great job he did with our Springbok attack from 2018 to 2023. We all have massive respect for Felix – his work ethic and how he coaches the attack. All of a sudden, he pops up on screen as a defence coach, and he is copying a Springbok style of defence,” Burger explained.
“If you look at the highlights, there was one horror clip with Tommaso Allan’s try. Five guys on the blind, three guys at the ruck and a second pass takes out 12 English defenders, and they got a four-on-one with Elliot Daly. There’s a lot of work [to do] in that defensive system.”
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De Villiers echoed his former Springbok teammate’s sentiments by revealing that he too was left confused by what he saw from England.
“England starts anew this year. They see what Felix has done with the Boks. You employ him, but you employ him for something totally different.
“On what basis do you get a guy like that if he is going to fulfil a role that that you haven’t seen him do? Or is it based on what he has done at Munster? It’s a weird one.”
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WATCH: FORMER SPRINGBOK PLAYERS ON ENGLAND DEFENCE
