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Rassie Erasmus continues mind games by predicting England XV to face South Africa

South Africa's director Rassie Erasmus speaks during a press conference at Roland Garros Stadium in Paris, on October 10, 2023, as part of the France 2023 Rugby World Cup. (Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP) (Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA/AFP via Getty Images)

It is often said that South Africa are a team that are made for World Cups and knockout rugby, but so too is their director of rugby Rassie Erasmus.

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Springboks fly-half Handre Pollard revealed this week that nothing Erasmus and head coach Jacques Nienbaer do is “just for no reason” and that it is “all thought out, meticulously planned.” By that rationale, Erasmus clearly had a ploy when he named the England squad the Springboks are preparing to face in the World Cup semi-final on Saturday at the Stade de France.

Whether it is to get into England head coach Steve Borthwick’s head, the players’ heads or probably both, this is the latest move from a director of rugby who seems to revel in these situations.

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WATCH as South Africa’s Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus drops some interesting selection hints ahead of the World Cup semifinal face-off with England

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      WATCH as South Africa’s Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus drops some interesting selection hints ahead of the World Cup semifinal face-off with England

      England have not been keen on chopping and changing their team too much this World Cup in the same way South Africa have, so this was not necessarily a difficult task for Erasmus. Nevertheless, he is expecting at least one change from the England team that beat Fiji on Sunday in Marseille, with Kyle Sinckler, who only lasted two minutes of the 2019 World Cup final before going off injured, predicted to start at tighthead prop instead of Dan Cole. Just like much of the rugby world, he is also unsure as to who will start at fullback between Freddie Steward and newly fashioned No15 Marcus Smith.

      England team predicted by Erasmus
      1. Ellis Genge
      2. Jamie George
      3. Kyle Sinckler
      4. Maro Itoje
      5. Ollie Chessum
      6. Courtney Lawes
      7. Tom Curry
      8. Ben Earl
      9. Alex Mitchell
      10. Owen Farrell (c)
      11. Elliot Daly
      12. Manu Tuilagi
      13. Joe Marchant
      14. Jonny May
      15. Marcus Smith or Freddie Steward

      Replacements:
      16. Theo Dan
      17. Joe Marler
      18. Dan Coles
      19. George Martin
      20. Billy Vunipola
      21. Danny Care or Ben Youngs
      22. George Ford
      23. Ollie Lawrence

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      Comments

      28 Comments
      H
      Hendrik 577 days ago

      The SAME ref..who blowed Faf wrongfully….will ref the Semi’s..???

      This WILL be a really an dishonest RWC final…..!!!

      R
      RB 577 days ago

      ABS Springboks final hardly dishonest arguably the two greatest teams in the world of all times

      N
      NE 579 days ago

      Predicts the English team but can’t put one name in the 15 jumper. Clown of note. SA have a word for pip squeaks like Erasmus ‘doos’.

      J
      Jimmy 579 days ago

      It takes one to know one.

      N
      NE 579 days ago

      I hear that Cirkus Cirkör and Circus Varga have offered Erasmus good jobs as their head clown. He’s a shoe in for either job.

      d
      d 579 days ago

      Heard that you headed the meeting.

      d
      dk 580 days ago

      Please. Let’s not attribute too much intelligence to Rassie. He’s South African after all. A great shit stirrer. A very average player and coach.

      d
      d 579 days ago

      That’s right, on course for his second WC final in a row. Dave the doos strikes again. Must be hard going through life being such a cunt.

      A
      AP 579 days ago

      A very average player? Really. I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you’re a top class troll rather than profoundly ignorant. Although I suppose both could be true.

      C
      Cam 579 days ago

      🤣You need to try harder 🎣

      N
      Ninjin 580 days ago

      Let’s not. Let’s wait untill after the Springboks All Blacks final and then we can hail the man or condemn the man. 😀

      P
      Poe 580 days ago

      It was not England have a lot of options is it?

      A
      AF 580 days ago

      Clickbait

      S
      Sam 580 days ago

      C’mon, of course they have an idea of who will play, just like England have an idea who the Boks will pick. And they will prepare accordingly.


      No mind games here.

      J
      Jacque 580 days ago

      Lets wait and see. Rassie did this for a reason. Eng have no idea who the boks will pick.

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