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The Springboks verdict on isolated England prop Joe Marler

By PA

17 Nov 2021

(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Springboks No8 Duane Vermeulen expects Joe Marler to be unaffected by his spell in self-isolation when he lines up for England on Saturday. Marler missed last weekend’s conclusive victory over Australia after testing positive for coronavirus and will only be able to leave quarantine the day before the Springboks arrive at Twickenham.

England’s front row resources have been depleted by injury and Covid so Marler is expected to be included on the bench or the starting XV when Eddie Jones names his team on Thursday morning.

Vermeulen insists the Harlequins prop will not be fazed, citing the Springboks’ own experience of taking to the field soon after leaving isolation. “If I’m not mistaken, our South Africa squad did it against Georgia in the summer,” he said.

Why Morne Steyn will be remembered as one of the greatest Springboks

“And the guys were in lockdown before they played for the SA A team. They could only get out on the Friday to do their captain’s run. It’s going to have a major effect on you but as an individual, it is a little bit different to a bigger group of guys.

“If you are fit enough… Joe Marler is a good scrummager and loves a bit of banter on the field. He will be happy if he is starting or sitting on the bench.”

Marchant has never started before on the England wing while Marler is still in isolation until 8pm Thursday ? #England #ENGvRSA #AutumnNationsSeries #Springboks
https://t.co/6WYHHWqvXQ
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 18, 2021

South African rugby has been rocked by the news that former prop Jannie du Plessis’ son drowned in a swimming pool on Tuesday. “We haven’t discussed it as a squad yet, but I woke up to a message from my missus about what had happened back home,” Vermeulen said.

“They are in our thoughts and on our minds, and we send our condolences to Jannie and family. It’s obviously a very difficult time and we will stand behind and support them in whatever way we can.”

Kolisi given a spray by Eddie Jones as he warns the Springboks that England are ready for Saturday#England #ENGvRSA #AutumnNationsSeries #Springboks https://t.co/zrXqweKAdt
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 18, 2021

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Comments on RugbyPass

AA 2 minutes ago

Fin Baxter wades into debate over the England losing streak

Agreed. Borthwick will have to write a new excuse book soon .

I have looked at the two world cup final teams from 2003 and 2020.

2003 team scored 187 tries between them in 389 caps

2020 team scored 113 tries between them in 473 caps. As you can see a huge disparity in scoring rate. Only Johnny May with 36 tries in 78 caps scored a higher amount of tries. Elliot Daly comes close but the rest are frankly very poor.

Farrell and Ford scored a pathetic 20 tries between them in a combined 210 caps.

There again , the 2003 team did have Wilko and Greenwood etc whereas 2020 team had Ford and Farrell .

So much people saying that Fords strength is of bringing others into the game .

Really. The figures totally disprove that notion .

It has been mentioned elsewhere that we have accepted mediocrity far too often and the figures would indicate that players are or have been picked far too often without performing .

2 Go to comments

Alex 10 minutes ago

Let's be real about these All Blacks

Not disputing that NZ are ahead of Eng. Also not saying Eng are unlucky (though clearly the tone of the article is not that the ABs were unlucky but that they 'should have' won). Your team are looking great and are on the up. I just felt that Pundits have argued Eng 'should have' won the first test against the ABs, when it's more nuanced than that, and very fine margins determine results that Eng didn't get right. Same applies, therefore, to NZ and other nations. Ben Smith though doesn't seem to see it that way. To be clear: I'm not saying I agree with the 'should haves', but more that I take issue with the phrasing.

Good to see your respect for other nations is so strong! Proper rugby fan you are!!!

48 Go to comments

RedWarrior 13 minutes ago

Did Rassie Erasmus miss a trick with his latest South Africa squad?

GB is England, Scotland, Wales. They are the 3 constituent countries in Great Britain. Ergo playing only those three countries is a tour of GB. The difference between GB and the UK is Northern Ireland. It's not a huge deal to be accurate and call places by their correct name. But please refrain from your idiotic attempts to BS that GB=UK. It doesn't.

52 Go to comments

RedWarrior 17 minutes ago

'Passionate reunion of France and New Zealand shows Fabien Galthie is wrong to rest his stars'