Print

Mail

wiki links

Springboks fancied to beat England

An experienced and star-studded South Africa are favorites to kick off their international season with a victory against a depleted England here in the first of two Tests today.

South Africa coach Jake White has selected no fewer than 16 players who were in action for either the Coastal Sharks or Northern Bulls in the Super 14 final in Durban last weekend in his match-22.

England have left up to 30 first choice players at home and have been battling a bout of stomach flu which has hampered preparations.

Star fly-half Jonny Wilkinson and center Andy Farrell couldn't train on Wednesday, while rookie winger David Strettle was withdrawn from the England side on Thursday because of the virus.

While Wilkinson and Farrell are expected to be fit to play today, Strettle's place in the England team has been taken by Iain Balshaw.

It is a far from ideal situation for the visitors to be in ahead of the first Test on South African soil between the teams since 2000.

While England have enjoyed dominance over the Springboks in recent years, with all the matches taking place on either English or foreign soil, the Springboks got the better of the defending world champions the last time the teams met, at Twickenham last November.

And not only are White's men virtually at full-strength for today's match, they've built up good momentum in the Super 14 competition.

England captain Jason Robinson admitted on Thursday his side faces an uphill battle.

"The reality is we are the underdogs going into this game," he said. "It's going to be a massive challenge for us, but there's a lot of enthusiasm in the side," he said.

White has opted for experience in the year's first Test for the home side, opting for an all-Sharks front row and an all-Bulls lock combination.

They are departments that have functioned well in the Super 14, while the Bok coach has also named a full front row on the bench, an indication the Boks are looking to hurt England up front.

There are also recalls after injury for prop Gurthro Steenkamp, flanker Schalk Burger and wing Ashwin Willemse -- who's been out of the game for over a year with various injuries.

"We all know what Ashwin's capable of and I need to give him game time," explained White, who also selected hulking second row Danie Rossouw at No 8.
This story has been viewed 1193 times.