England vs South Africa: How England plan to meet Springboks head on in Rugby World Cup final

Eddie Jones’s side know exactly what they will face in Yokohama on Saturday but they aren’t daunted by the prospect, it is instead quite the opposite

England believe they know exactly what the South Africa will throw at them in this Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final, with assistant coach John Mitchell having first-hand experience of what they can do if they’re allowed to assert their physical dominance.

The two most powerful sides at this year’s tournament will meet in Yokohama to battle it out for the Webb Ellis Cup, with England looking to win it for the first time since the famous 2003 triumph and South Africa aiming to join the All Blacks as three-time champions.

England will head into the final as favourites following their destructive victory over New Zealand in the semi-finals, but both Mitchell and head coach Eddie Jones were in attendance to see the Springboks strangle Wales to the point of no return, with their defiant defence and power-carrying game prominent along with the desire to kick from scrum-half Faf du Plessis.

Last year Mitchell joined forces with Jones after the Rugby Football Union paid £200,000 to spring the New Zealander from his contract with Super Rugby franchise the Bulls, which gives him a better knowledge of the Springboks than most.

“They have a real desire to be direct and deliberate,” said defence coach Mitchell. “They’re a side that’s been built over two years with Rassie Erasmus and I think you saw their intent in that first series against England in 2018. They’re playing to their strengths and he’s built a team that’s got depth as well.

“I remember I got belted and we got belted as well. We played the British and Irish Lions the year before and they [South Africa] arrived in 1994. It was a guy called Adrian Geldenhuys, he had octopus arms I think. I didn't get him back, but I met him in a lift in Pretoria about a year ago. I hadn't seen him for a long time but he got me a beauty. Then the final whistle went and there was Mark Andrews and myself laughing. It was the game in those days.”

But Mitchell is not in the slightest bit daunted by them, and not just because as a former New Zealand player and coach he is programmed that way. It is because like Jones, and like every other member of this 31-man squad, the 20-something backroom staff around it and now the millions watching in anticipation back home, this England team believe it is more physical, more dominant and more brutal than any other on the planet.

“When I have watched the Springboks as a kid, then played against them - I was lucky to do that in one tour - and played against South African teams and coached them, I guess I used to look at them and think they are the one side in the world that can create pressure like no other team,” Mitchell said. “But what is great about that is that there is now another team that can create that pressure - and that is us. And that is what Springboks rugby has always been built on - that ability to create pressure.

“They are very forward dominated. And they love their scrum, love their lineout drive and love the physical nature of the game. There are so many ways you can play this game and they play it in a particular way and always seem to have an intimidator at No 4 and that is just their way - and it works for them.”

One of England’s main enforcers remains Courtney Lawes, who has only played the Springboks three times in a 10-year international career – and never on South African soil. Lawes has seen his fair share of South Africans come through the gates of his club side, Northampton Saints, with Victor Matfield, Heinrich Brussow and Brian Mujati all playing alongside him, as well as current international Cobus Reinach.

But while Lawes may be one of England’s big ball-carriers, he admits he is dwarfed by his opposite numbers.

Lawes knows what awaits his side (Getty Images)

“I’m like the smallest second row in the world!” laughed Lawes. “I’m not too bothered about the size of people generally because I generally chop low. I’m strong enough and powerful enough, that’s the main thing. And I can get around the park. That’s all I’m worried about.

“They just are bigger. They are tough guys, they’re brought up tough and they play tough. But so do we, so we’re looking forward to it.”

Lawes could find himself replaced in the starting line-up against South Africa despite impressing against the All Blacks, given Jones’s desire to have as strong a possible side for the end of the final due to the power contained on the Springbok bench.