What the English media think of the Springboks team to face England

Rassie Erasmus’ Springboks 23 hasn’t caused much debate in England. If anything, the reaction has been one of admiration rather than criticism from the English rugby media.

Springboks

The Boks play England at Ellis Park on Saturday, 4th July, in the opening round of the inaugural Nations Championship.

Across the UK’s leading rugby publications, the consensus is that Erasmus has picked a side built to win now, with the only genuine surprise being the omission of Handré Pollard at No 10.

Here’s what they’re saying:

The Telegraph

The Telegraph doesn’t question the Springbok selection. Instead, it frames Saturday’s Test as England’s toughest assignment of the year.

The focus is on how England coach Steve Borthwick can find a way to beat the world champions at Ellis Park rather than whether South Africa have picked the right team. Altitude, physicality and the Springboks’ experience are recurring themes, with the platform effectively treating the Bok side as the benchmark England must overcome.

The Times

The Times sees South Africa’s biggest strength as depth.

Rather than dissecting individual selections, it argues Erasmus’ policy of selecting players regardless of where they play has created a squad England simply cannot match. It contrasts that with England’s overseas selection policy, suggesting the Springboks arrive with a fresher, deeper and more experienced group.

The paper has also focused heavily on England’s preparation, with Jamie George saying England will need Henry Pollock’s fearless mindset if they are to challenge the Springboks at Ellis Park.

Planet Rugby

Planet Rugby believes Erasmus has doubled down on continuity.

Its takeaways are straightforward:

• Manie Libbok has been handed a huge opportunity.
• Pollard’s omission is the biggest talking point.
• Erasmus has resisted wholesale experimentation.
• The Springboks remain overwhelmingly experienced despite a handful of injuries.

Its verdict is that South Africa have selected about as strong a side as possible for the tournament opener.

RugbyPass

RugbyPass also zeroes in on Pollard’s omission.

Beyond that, the outlet describes the selection as predictable in the best sense, highlighting the return of senior players, milestone Tests for Cheslin Kolbe and Damian Willemse, and Erasmus’ continued faith in the group that has delivered two World Cups.

The message is simple: England aren’t facing an experimental Springbok side.

The verdict

The English media isn’t questioning Rassie Erasmus’ selection. If anything, it’s questioning whether England have enough to beat it.

Across the board, the themes are almost identical:

• South Africa have named a near full-strength side.
• Handré Pollard’s omission is the biggest surprise.
• Manie Libbok has been backed to run the attack.
• Ellis Park remains one of the toughest venues in world rugby.
• England believe they’re better prepared than in previous tours, but still start as underdogs.

How the Nations Championship works