A classic English rugby aphorism says: “If you can head, why do you pass?”. An old quote from former South African coach Heineke Meyer is repeated: “A contact sport is ballroom dancing, rugby is a collision sport.” Considering both injunctions of the English and South Africans’ rugby catechisms, it is possible to speculate, without any particular insight, that their semi-final this Saturday promises a ‘frying pan’ salad between them. Two forwards who carved in fire and blood what is known in rugby as “ruck’n’roll”.
British ‘orcs’
For years, there has not been a team in the world as physically superior as the South African team. But physically challenging the British “orcs” doesn’t seem like a good idea. In this situation and with the ‘fat men’ of both teams licking their lips, the game seems to be ahead. The most Cartesian of coaches, English coach Steve Borthwick, is a fundamentalist of the set piece (scrum and touch) as the pillars of the game. But this trained economist will have to look for shortcuts to destabilize the thick-skinned South African striker “Bomb Squad”, which will bring together thirteen “fats” in the call between the starters and reserves.
After falling behind after three minutes, England will look to minimize the damage using the same system they used against Argentina: funneling defense against channel attacks bokkes on the axis where they will distribute tons of ‘love’. Owen Farrell will be in the top 10 despite failing against the Fijians, leaving Ford on the bench. Marcus Smith remains behind, stunned by the Polynesian attacks, and the lanky Commissar, busy knocking down cannons, reappears.
South Africa will repeat the XV that showed how few points they had to score against France. The kicks that came with the snow were the second and third players hitting balls (over two meters long) and sprinters Kolbe and Arendse beating them against misplaced defences. Openly Outside, this is where England suffers most, with their hips getting a bit rusty on lateral movement.
rugby brutality
The English, with their usual historical proficiency, say they have won four of their five World Cup semi-finals. They lost 95 games in which Jonah Lomu scored four tries, including a charge on Mike Catt, the most iconic try in World Cup history. To add fuel to the fire, some former England internationals ‘complimented’ South Africa. 2003 champion and Queen Elizabeth II. Mike Tindall, husband of Elizabeth’s granddaughter Zara Phillips, was the most fluent speaker:“France deserved to win on Sunday by a huge margin. South Africa didn’t create anything, but that’s the way it is in World Cups. I said it in 2019: ‘It would be a shame if South Africa won the World Cup.’ And in the end they did it.”
Words that sound like heavenly music to the Bokkes. Handré Pollard warnedThe writer scored 22 points in the last World Cup final, which South Africa won by beating England (32-12). Those who expected a “brutal semi-final”. Very suitable quality for an adult time game where there must be two tiles. Rugby Gore.