One of my favourite sayings is: ‘Great teams are made of great individuals.’ In my coaching career, I always thought the best players thrived under pressure.
If I was in Steve Borthwick’s shoes as England head coach tonight, I would be putting the maximum pressure I could on the team. There would be no big Churchillian speech. I would tell this England squad that if every individual does their job properly, we can beat South Africa and claim a place in the World Cup final.
For every player and staff member involved at the Stade de France, there will be huge pressure. You do not want to be the one who lets the team down.
Every individual needs to win their one-on-one battle. England are still significant underdogs but if they do that, there is every chance of an upset.
In international rugby you are either the chaser or the one being chased. This is what is fascinating about this game. England are normally the ones being chased. Everyone wants to beat England. Whether we like it or not as a nation, it is not going to change so we might as well embrace it.
In international rugby you are either the chaser or the one being chased, and England are normally the latter (pictured after the final in 2019)
Every player needs to be at their best if South Africa are to be sent packing on Saturday
But for this World Cup semi-final, England are the chaser. South Africa were in that position in their last-eight win over France and produced an amazing performance to beat the hosts.
The question now is can the Springboks back it up?
I feel that in the last 48 hours there has been a significant shift in optimism. I have read comments from those in the game whose opinions I truly respect — the likes of Shaun Edwards and Warren Gatland — and they believe England can shock the Springboks. I also liked the pre-match comments from Maro Itoje, who is one of England’s most important players.
Itoje has not been at his best in a white shirt for the last few years but he tends to turn up when it matters and Borthwick will need that from him tonight. The same applies to Owen Farrell, Manu Tuilagi and Tom Curry.
In fact, every England player needs to be at their best if South Africa are to be sent packing. There is no point backing off now. England need to fight fire with fire which is why I liked Itoje’s statement that if England produce their best rugby they will win.
I’m working on the game for ITV and I am joined on the panel by Jonny Wilkinson and Bryan Habana. It is the same panel that worked on the 2019 World Cup final when England were hammered by South Africa. I remember sitting in the studio that day in Yokohama four years ago and about 10 minutes into the game, I turned to Bryan and said: ‘England are going to get smashed here.’ Bryan just smiled and nodded. England did get smashed.
I could sense very early on that England were not at the races. That cannot happen again. I am amazed 13 of the England players who were involved in the 2019 final are in the matchday 23 again tonight. This is their chance for revenge.
This is England’s chance to avenge their brutal World Cup mauling at the hands of the Boks in Japan in 2019
I called for Joe Marler to start, and I think it’s a good move that he is at prop at Stade de France
I was told a statistic very early on in my tenure that has always stuck with me. It was that when the top six teams in the world play each other, there is an 80 per cent chance that with 30 minutes to go, there will only be one score in the game. I am sure those numbers have varied slightly over the years but it is undeniably true that the biggest matches in international rugby are often incredibly tight.
I think that will almost certainly happen in the England and South Africa game. If it does, the game will be decided in the final quarter. It is at that point you arguably need your best team on the field.
Lots of people have picked up on the fact England have picked their own version of the South African ‘Bomb Squad’ by naming Ellis Genge, Kyle Sinckler and Ollie Chessum on the bench.
I called for Joe Marler to start so I think it is a good move that he is at prop. The same applies to George Martin at lock. What a game this is for Martin, by the way. He is only 22. I remember once suggesting to Martin Johnson and Lawrence Dallaglio that I might start them both on the bench. Martin’s response was: ‘You wouldn’t dare.’ He was right! But there is merit to the idea of having some of your best players coming on fresh in the second half. South Africa have led the way with that theory and hats off to them.
Looking at both sides, my view is England could actually have the stronger team at the end of the game. The key question is whether the starting side can keep South Africa within one score by the hour mark. Borthwick must not feel the need to substitute every player.
So long as there are no injuries, I would be bringing Genge, Sinckler and Chessum on at half-time. England’s cavalry can have a big impact. If England can stay in the contest, it will start to get very tense. The tactics of both sides will be fascinating. I have already called on England to use the drop-goal but do not be surprised if South Africa try one of their own early on. I will be staggered if the Springboks kick to Freddie Steward knowing how good he is in the air. South Africa won the kicking battle against France and scored tries from going to the sky.
The physical battle will, of course, be huge, but that is the case for any elite game, and the clash in Paris will be no different
I expect them to try to find grass with their kicks and look to turn Elliot Daly and Jonny May.
The physical battle will, of course, be huge. That is the case for any elite game. South Africa will try to batter England physically and if Borthwick’s side do not match that, they have no chance. But I actually think England are growing in that area. They impressed me with their power and fitness against Fiji.
The first couple of scrums are going to be huge. They will set the tone for the game.
If England are at the races — and I expect them to turn up with a big performance — then there is every chance of an upset.
England really are capable of shocking the world. England by three, with Itoje man of the match!
