This Springbok legend has questioned England’s decision to try and emulate one of South Africa’s key strategic manoeuvres.
Legendary Springbok duo Schalk Burger and Jean de Villiers say there’s all-round confusion regarding England’s plan of adopting South Africa’s defensive system.
In their conversation with fellow former Bok Hanyani Shimange on the most recent episode of Boks Office on World Rugby, Burger and De Villiers expressed their opinion that the English appeared unprepared when they used South Africa’s rush defense in their Six Nations match against Italy last week.
To give you some history, England attempted to strengthen their own defensive structures by stealing Felix Jones, the master of the Springbok defense.
However, following England’s Six Nations match against Italy—Jones’ first significant test with the squad—Burger and De Villiers believe it’s difficult to see what exactly Jones’ role within Steve Borthwick’s England coaching group actually is.
BURGER AND DE VILLIERS GIVE VERDICT ON ENGLAND
“Last year they [England] played to their strengths. They had the best defence at the World Cup and best kicking game at the World Cup.,” said Burger.
“This year, we all see Felix Jones is going across there and I thought what a great job he did with our Springbok attack from 2018 to 2023. We all have massive respect for Felix – his work ethic and how he coaches the attack. All of a sudden he pops up on screen as a defence coach and he is copying a Springbok style of defence,” Burger explained.
“If you look at the highlights there was one horror clip with Tommaso Allan’s try. Five guys on the blind, three men at the ruck, and when another pass eliminates twelve English defenders, they have a four-on-one opportunity with Elliot Daly. There is more work in that defensive system to be done.
Like his former Springbok teammate, De Villiers admitted that he was perplexed by what he witnessed from England.
This year, England is starting over. They witness Felix’s treatment of the Boks. He’s employed by you, but for a completely other purpose.
“How can you hire someone like that if you haven’t seen him perform in that job before? Or is it predicated on his actions at Munster? That one is peculiar.
