16 thoughts on “Autumn Internationals 2018: England v South Africa Head to Head”

1. Even more so, the Boks have put both De Jaeger and Snyman on the bench, so seems like Erasmus Will try to muscle England backwards for the whole game

   
   
   
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2. Could this be why Eddie has opted for Farrell at fly half rather than Ford? Is he expecting the SA pack to dominate and therefore Farrell is a better option for back foot ball? Then up the tempo in the 2nd half with Ford and Care when the heavier SA pack begins to tire? Even I’m clutching at straws now…

   
   
   
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   1. EC, I think you have hit the nail on the head there.

      
      
      
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   2. Good pt EC. Maybe. However, the Boks also have a heavy bench to call on later on, but we’ll see.

      
      
      
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      1. PS As Armandus has already alluded to.

         
         
         
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         1. Looks like either Vermeulen/Whiteley wil play about 60′ with Snyman/De Jaeger comming in at second row and Du Toit moving to openside. Imo England’s forwards lack the experience (Mercer, Hepburn, Williams, Ewels, …) to really counter it.

            
            
            
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3. Already highlighted, but exp & weight favour SA up front which is where, as is usually the case, the game will be dictated. The scrum is also about technique as well as weight, but SA seem well equipped @ both. England therefore, need their set piece to be super slick & won’t want the ball lingering in their scrum. The line out could be a tussle, but England have to win their throws. Hartley’s throwing might help here. That exp favours England in the backs will likely prove less significant if SA dominate in the fwds. Thus, with England probably & rightly, looking to test SA’s back 3 with bombs, they’ll need to utilise this tactic judiciously & accurately & not just robotically or predictably. The back row will need to effectively target their 1/2back too. The benches are a bit of a mixed bag exp wise, but as already foretold, the Saffers look likely to keep the pressure on with some big’uns for the full 80. Good luck Mr. Gorsky!

   
   
   
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   1. I don’t recall South Africa’s Championship form in the lineouts, but I would expect England to gain parity at least in the Lineouts.

      
      
      
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4. Vermeulen’s @ 7, not 6. He may be better suited to 8, or maybe 6, however.

   
   
   
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   1. Sorry, I meant to add in the article. SA label their 6s and 7s the other way around – Vermeulen will play blindside, but wear No 7.

      I switched them over here for better comparison.

      
      
      
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      1. Ok, thanks. Seems like they’re @ 6’s & 7’s. Can only be good for England.

         
         
         
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5. Tuilagi now out injured. The guy has no luck.

   
   
   
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6. Pretty sure the average heights of forwards are incorrect. At least for SA. Please can you check.

   
   
   
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   1. Yep no way both teams forwards average the same based on the fact that SA forwards are taller in all positons

      
      
      
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   2. Thanks, good spot. They were only showing 1 decimal place, rather than two. Boks are 3cm taller on average.

      
      
      
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      1. No way shields is heavier than Vermeulen either!

         
         
         
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