Preview: South Africa v England
JUNE INTERNATIONALS: Déjà vu. Is that what we are to expect at Newlands on Saturday?
The England back three to enjoy luxurious overlaps and score first. The South Africans score next and do so more often and win.
Is that will happen at Newlands on Saturday?
Last year France came in June, and the Springboks won 37-14, 37-15 and 35-12. That made déjà vu look ridiculous.
England versus South Africa this June has not gone to anything like as regular a beat. The Springboks have won 42-39 and 23-12.
This match may not want to go the way of déjà vu.
* Article continues below video …
England seems to have improved their team while the Springboks are doing experiments with the World Cup in mind, as if a Test was not enough in itself but a form of trial/match practice for what is to come.
The Springboks have changed four backs, keeping their wings and scrumhalf. Willie le Roux, who has been such a creative star in the first two Tests subsides to the bench. The changes at centre could well turn out to be profitable.
England on the other hand have made just one change in the backline, bringing Danny Cipriani in at flyhalf, presumably because he is capable of creating the unexpected. In him and Owen Farrell next to him, England has exceptionally talented players – talented, but temperamental.
It is different in the forwards.
There the Springboks have changed one, England three. Nathan Hughes looks a better bet than Billy Vunipola, who had two quiet Tests, and Chris Robshaw would seem to add a lot more than the almost anonymous New Zealander, Brad Shields.
* Article continues below video …
Players to watch
For South Africa: On the Springbok side, Warrick Gelant may well attract the most attention – such a talented player. If he can make it here and now, he could be well on the road to the greatness that is expected of him. The Springbok most likely to attract the most attention is Duane Vermeulen, if he has anything like the game he had in the second Test, and you will see mercurial Francois de Klerk, and action-man Pieter-Steph du Toit. And would it not be great if the centres did what great centres do – create opportunities for the speed and skill of both their wings?
For England: Certainly England’s strikers – the back three of Elliot Daly. Mike Brown and Jonny May. Of England’s seven tries in the first two Tests, they scored five. This time they are opposed by the same two wings – Sibusiso Nkosi and Aphiwe Dyantyi – that they have raced past before and then there is Warwick Gelant, not as experienced a defender as Willie le Roux. The Springboks will need to make plans here. Danny Cipriani, nearly as unorthodox as Quade Cooper and nearly, it seems, as wayward, will catch the eye. He is capable of artistry at flyhalf. In the pack the players most likely to catch the eye are strong, confrontational Nathan Hughes and athletic, skilful Maro Itoje.
Head to Head: Duane Vermeulen versus Hughes – brave, strong men. Owen Farrell versus Andre Esterhuizen – strong, fearless men.
* Article continues below video …
Recent results:
2018: South Africa won 23-12, Bloemfontein
2018: South Africa won 42-39, Johannesburg
2016: England won 37-21, London
2014: South Africa won 31-28, London
2012: South Africa won 16-15, London
2012: South African and England drew 14-all, Port Elizabeth
2012: South Africa won 36-27, Johannesburg
2012: South Africa won 22-17, Durban
Prediction: South Africa and England have met only twice at Newlands – in 1994 when the Springboks won 27-9 and in 1998 when the Springboks won 18-0. Whatever the result this time, if this is to be, as cruel people suggest it will be, the last Test to be played at Newlands, the prayer of one who has loved the place for 73 years is that this will be a great match. The two Tests in the series so far, have been great matches, full of skill, action and daring. Let’s hope that this, the last in the series and perhaps just the last, will be the greatest of them all, that both sides are magnificent and that the Springboks win by one point.
Teams
South Africa: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Sibusiso Nkosi, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 André Esterhuizen, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 RG Snyman, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Schalk Brits, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Jean-Luc du Preez, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Handré Pollard, 23 Willie le Roux
England: 15 Elliot Daly, 14 Jonny May, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Owen Farrell (captain), 11 Mike Brown, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Nathan Hughes, 7 Tom Curry, 6 Chris Robshaw, 5 Maro Itoje, 4 Joe Launchbury, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 2 Jamie George, 1 Joe Marler.
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Harry Williams, 19 Jonny Hill, 20 Mark Wilson, 21 Sam Simmonds, 22 Ben Spencer, 23 Denny Solomona.
Date: Saturday, 23 June 2018
Venue: Newlands, Cape Town
Kick-off: 17.00 (16.00 UK time; 15.00 GMT)
Expected weather: Newlands is the wettest place in South Africa, but it has suffered a long drought. That has been broken lately, but still more rain is wanted. Saturday is expected to be raining and cold with a high of 16°C and a low of 12°C.
Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Romain Poite (France), Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
TMO: Simon McDowell (Ireland)
By Paul Dobson
@rugby365com
