The Springboks are on guard for any surprises that Eddie Jones may have up his sleeve as South Africa strive to end the year with a first win over England at Twickenham since 2014. DYLAN JACK reports.
South Africans hardly need any introducing to Eddie Jones. The Australian not only helped the Springboks win the World Cup in 2007, but also masterminded one of rugby’s greatest upsets when his Japan team beat the Boks in the 2015 World Cup pool stages in Brighton.
PICK YOUR BOK TEAM AGAINST ENGLAND!
Jones was quickly snapped up by England after that famous game and has yet to lose a home Test to the Springboks, even though Rassie Erasmus and company got the last laugh by winning the World Cup in Yokohama in 2019.
Last year, England snatched a 79th minute winner against the Springboks, who are eager to break their drought in London on Saturday.
“Eddie is a very good coach, his record of producing shock results confirms that and he always has a few aces close to his chest,” forwards coach Deon Davids told the media from London.
“It won’t be any different this week and we have to be spot on in how we execute our plans while being quick to react to what they produce.
“We are preparing for a very tough encounter but we will also have something up our sleeve and you will have to wait and see what we come up with.”
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The Boks are coming off one of their most clinical performances of the year in Genoa, where they put nine tries past Italy.
However, England’s late comeback effort to secure a draw against the All Blacks has kept the visitors on their toes.
“It was a phenomenal comeback and it underlines how close the big teams are and how if one goes off the boil, the other can come right back,” said Davids. “New Zealand have always been masters of the comeback and got a taste of their own medicine.
“The lesson is that it is never over until the last whistle at this level. Both teams will fight right until the end and you can never ever switch off. You have to stay focused.”
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Photo: Getty Images
