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'They've got to get rid of one of those two': Ex-Springbok Schalk Burger on England's problems
By Ben Smith
Former Springbok flanker Schalk Burger has questioned Englandās selections in the wake of South Africaās 27-13 win at Twickenham.
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Eddie Jonesā side struggled to get going against a rampant defensive line that continued to put pressure on Englandās playmakers, falling behind by 27-6 before putting together a late try for Henry Slade.
Englandās attack was haphazard at times and lacked the timing and precision to combat an aggressive Springboksā defence system.
Ex-Springbok Burger believes they did not get the balance right to deal with what South Africa would throw at them.
āWhere I think England missed a trick playing against us,ā Burger said on SuperSportās post-match show.
āWhen youāve got Marcus Smith and then youāve got a playmaker outside of him in Owen Farrell, you canāt play through 12 against the Boks.
āOur line speed is too fast. You saw it in the beginning, even when theyāve got numbers on the outside you saw Farrell going āweāre on, weāve got itā, when he did that little tap on and it went forward.
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āWe donāt get flustered by that because we are going up and we are going to get them.ā
England have tried to rebuild the 10-12 axis around the Harlequins No 10 and the experienced Farrell after giving up on George Ford.
During the Ford-Farrell era under Eddie Jonesā early stewardship, there were times where Farrell would start at No 10 with a strong ball carrying midfielder at 12 to combat physical sides.
Burger called on England to drop one of the two out of the side and move Manu Tuilagi into inside centre the next time they face the Springboks.
āFor me, if they want to take on the Boks, and remove the issues on attack, theyāve got to get rid of one of those playmakers,ā he said.
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āYouāve got to bring Manu Tuilagi in one closer, youāve got to punch these tight spaces, use Manu as a ball carrier first and also use a dummy runner to split and tighten the Boks up.
āThen your ball player can come in on the next phase when they are short on numbers.ā
He's absolutely right about Two 10s playing alongside each other, especially when Farrell at 12 is a liability in the tackle and tualagi is a force of nature who can meet force with force
Conventional wisdom says that if you match the Boks physicality for 85 minutes, and target the set pieces then the win is in sight. Unfortunately England did not match the Boks intensity today, but they also saw the early evidence of much more exciting patterns in the SA attack. The SA try on their right wing deserves some review and analysis. Why was Willemse up against two props (that would never end well), and with the 15 caught out on the kick chase, why was the cover defense (9, 10, 12) so disorganized and ineffective. The Boks showed some exciting things but the English approach to defending it seemed surprisingly ponderous. The other surprise was the inability to capitalize on the 1 man advantage, from the red card. For me that is striking, and it does suggest that Schalk Burger is right about their core 10/12 axis.
Was it because the chasing defender was illegally blocked off the ball?
Your comment Makes no sense.
I hope you (Ben Smith) realise that you will have to show the Springboks a lot more respect after your comments last week.
Ben smith is a joke and he is part of the people that are creating the animosity. I dont read his crap any more because it is crap.
Please back off on Ben Smith.... he's the only reason why I still feel worthy, as at least I don't continue saying things that is as wrong as his views/ opinions.
He is probably a good bloke, and is just use to getting a laugh from winding up people.
It is fun do wind up people when you are a teenager, but mate, try to even fake that you are an unbiased scribe. Who knows, someone may just take you serious and actually THINK about a comment you made.
I can't wait for your next article, as I need to feel better about myself š