Why England's identity crisis could prove fatal at Ellis Park

OPINION: “Focussing on ourselves” is right up there when it comes to rugby cliches, and as stale as the saying may be, England have no choice but to do just that ahead of their Nations Championship opener against the Springboks.

England No.8 Ben Earl asserted that they wouldn’t be zooming in on individual reputations or the Springboks’ trophy cabinet as they prepare to face the four-time World Cup-winners at Ellis Park on Saturday.

*Also read:England unfazed by former coaches in Bok camp

And, given their dismal recent run, it goes without saying that they have much to iron out in their own game before they can plot and plan to nullify the opposition’s.

England endured their worst-ever Six Nations campaign earlier this year as they suffered four straight defeats.

Although they produced a much-improved performance against France in Paris, losing by just two points (48-46), their final tournament outing highlighted an ongoing issue in their game.

The Roses played an expansive, entertaining game; their play was unstructured, and they looked good while doing so. But it’s easy to throw caution to the wind when there’s nothing on the line, and that performance also enlarged the question mark surrounding England’s identity.

Do they want to use the width of the field, or do they want to play a forward-dominant game? And will they be bold enough to play that game against the Springboks in a match that can rebuild their reputation?

Until now, they’ve talked the talk about attacking rugby, but they’ve also gone back into their shells and relied on their forwards when the pressure was on. They just haven’t been able to consistently click on attack despite the player personnel available to them.

But even if England do opt for an expansive game filled with offloads and width-of-the-field attack, the Springboks will gladly tire them out with hard hits on defence and a sustained effort.

Continues below…

The Boks, on the other hand, have a clear blueprint. Their revolutionised attack has been perfectly complemented by their ingrained physicality and set-piece brutality.

And while England are more battle-hardened compared to the South Africans, the world champions did enough during last season’s End of Year Tour to show that they know exactly what they’re doing…if there was any convincing needed given their accolades in recent years.

Rassie Erasmus named a stacked team with a devastating backline for their first Test of the season. And if there is any uncertainty regarding England’s tactical route come Saturday, the hosts will almost certainly make it another horror outing for Steve Borthwick’s team in Johannesburg.

If England are bold enough to roll out an attacking show, they will have to make sure to get it right, especially against counter-attacking hounds like Manie Libbok, Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt-Lee Arendse, and Grant Williams.

The Boks have a more established centre pairing, a scrumhalf that can win the foot race against most first-class wings in addition to shining in his primary role, and a flyhalf who is a threat to contain all by himself; he has no equal when it comes to what he can do in high-tempo games and how he can drive the Boks’ attack.

England have a good few notable players of their own, although the first name that comes to mind when singling out English players is flanker/team mascot, Henry Pollock.

Even if England decides to take the forward angle and try to rein the Boks in that way, it will still take a mammoth effort.

England’s scrum has arguably been their most reliable weapon, but it’s still not comparable to the South Africans’ trademark-worthy operation.

While it should be a good head-to-head, it will be disappointing if the Springboks allow England to get too much reward. The Boks have the better scrum, after all.

The front row of Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx, and Thomas du Toit is world-class, and the bigger challenge for England will be sustaining any pressure they manage to apply for the full 80, both at the set-piece and in the physical exchanges in the loose.

The blockbuster Bok bench is a factor in its own right – with reinforcement of that quality in the opposition, England will not only have to match the Springboks for the first 50 or so minutes, but ensure that they have enough in them to keep it up. South Africa’s intensity won’t let up.

But what they will have to “match” even before the Bomb Squad generator arrives is the physical magnitude of Eben Etzebeth, the infinite work rate and physical abilities of Pieter-Steph du Toit, the ball-carrying power and non-stop tackling of Jasper Wiese, and the all-over presence of Siya Kolisi. Granted, some of those players aren’t rich in recent match minutes, but that doesn’t mean they suddenly forget how to do their job.

England’s aerial game has been a big part of their identity, and no other team kicked more than them during the Six Nations.

While they reduced their kicks as the tournament progressed, with 120 of their 160 kicks launched during the first three rounds, England may opt to keep it simple against the Boks at Ellis Park and rely on putting ball to boot to relieve pressure and gain territory.

The biggest thing England have going for them at the moment is the underdog tag. That and the fact that they have a handful of 2026 Tests under the belt while South Africa still have to warm up to the international season with their only action this year coming in the form of a run-out against the Barbarians a fortnight ago.

But the Springboks know how to overcome hurdles and how to shift into gear at a moment’s notice. And they will have every motivation to do just that this weekend, even if just to save South Africans from the unimaginable suffering Pollock will subject them to should England pull off the unexpected.

History is not on England’s side, and it will be a seismic upset should they beat the Boks.

The two teams have met 47 times, with England winning just 16 of those clashes, while the Boks have claimed 29. Two matches ended in a stalemate.

In the 16 fixtures played in South Africa, England have won just four.

So, there probably aren’t many who are backing them to beat the Boks at Ellis Park, a ground where England have managed just one win, all the way back in 1972. And then there is also the altitude factor.

While Pollock has made social media his platform with his ‘see you soon’ taunts, the only talking worth taking notice of is the talking that will be done on the field come Saturday.

If England don’t have a clear plan this weekend and if they don’t execute whatever plan they opt for flawlessly, they will stand no chance against the Springboks.