VIDEO: Boks need more than 'inside knowledge' to stop Marcus Smith

SPOTLIGHT – LONDON: The Springboks might have inside knowledge of Marcus Smith’s “strengths and weaknesses”, but they must be street-smart in dealing with the unpredictable playmaker.

After a 32-15 win over Scotland in Edinburgh last weekend, South Africa will continue their end-of-year series with a clash against Steve Borthwick’s England side at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday.

The home side will be desperate to return to winning ways after losing their last four Tests.

A heartbreaking 37-42 loss to Australia was the latest one. However, in that match, the 25-year-old Smith showed how devastating he can be with ball in hand.

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“He is amazing. You can’t deny that,” said Springbok captain Siya Kolisi.

“One thing about us is that we give credit where credit is due.

“I played against him in the European Cup and he is just one of those gifted people who can do something when nothing is happening.

Kolisi added: “Most players will try and try and then give up, but he tries and tries and keeps on trying because he is that competitive and he wants to win.

“I know him personally that’s why I am speaking about him like this. He is a very good player and he wants to win at all times.

“We will have to keep the pressure on him as much as we can.”

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Meanwhile, assistant coach Mzwandile Stick said the squad has some knowledge from defence coach Jerry Flannery and centre Andre Esterhuizen, who were both with Smith at Premiership club Harlequins at one stage.

However, Stick acknowledged that Smith will keep the Boks on their toes in more ways than one.

“Those guys know his strengths and weaknesses,” said Stick.

“He [Smith] can challenge you with his attacking kicking game. You all saw what he has created in the past few games when you give him time and space to breathe.

“He will punish you. He is that kind of a player and we know he is a world-class flyhalf.

“With Finn Russell on the field [in last weekend’s Murrayfield clash] we had to make sure that we played for 80 minutes because he keeps trying and he keeps asking questions, so we expect the same thing from Marcus.

“He is a tough kid and he doesn’t shy away from a challenge.

“It’s going to take us 80 minutes to win the game and we can’t switch off because they will punish us with the players they’ve got in the team.”

@rugby365com