Rassie Erasmus started the semi-final mind games at his press conference. Photo: Getty Images/Anne-Christine Puzhula
Rassie Erasmus sparked a mental battle against England when South Africa's director of rugby took the unprecedented step of naming Steve Borthwick's starting XI for Saturday's World Cup semi-final.
The 50-year-old Erasmus predicted England would start the game with Kyle Sinclair in the stingy position, reflecting their selection for the 2019 final in Yokohama when the prop was pulled off with a head injury after four minutes, but was not fully involved in the talking point. Will Freddie Steward return to Borthwick's team or will Marcus Smith remain at number 15.
England confirmed on Tuesday that Smith is suspected of being injured ahead of this weekend's clash after undergoing a modified training program after being left bloodied and bruised in their quarter-final win over Fiji.
But Erasmus, who four years ago also warned his Springboks to expect «beef» from the team they beat to become world champions and has also categorically denied any tampering with the head injury protocol in last Sunday's quarter-final win over France, launched a full-scale psychological attack on South Africa's semi-final opponents when he addressed the media for the second day in a row.
“It’s interesting to guess their team — will Marcus play, will he or will Freddie play?” Erasmus said. “Marcus has a huge X-factor and Freddie is incredible on the high ball. Will Owen (Farrell) play in the center and (Manu) Tuilagi outside, or will (George) Ford play in midfield and score everything? They've got Courtney (Laws) who can play lock and wide, he's been such a pillar for them on the wing and they've got the energy of two other young free forwards. They bring energy to all departments.
“Now we get it, obviously. We took the main guys — Genge, George, Sinclair, Itoje, Chessum, Lowes, Curry, Earl, Mitchell, Farrell, Daly, Tuilagi, Marchant, May, Marcus Smith or Steward, Marler, Cole, George Martin, Billy, Ben Youngs. or Danny Care, George Ford and Ollie Lawrence. We think so, but we could be completely wrong.
“Because they played us at the end of last year, played us at the World Cup and in the final, I think they will have some beef with us. I think they will be very physical.”
Erasmus' attempt to get into the heads of his opponents this weekend comes after Wales head coach Warren Gatland warned Borthwick to be wary of the Springboks' director of «Dark Arts» rugby when he came across them during the British and Irish Lions tour.
< p>In his Telegraph Sport column, Gatland said: «I know what it's like to go toe-to-toe with Rassie and my advice to Steve Borthwick is to make sure he gets to the front line.»
However, Erasmus didn't stop there: he cited England's mission for revenge and status as the only unbeaten team remaining in the draw as the reason for their confidence — a stark contrast to the siege mentality they have portrayed so far this week.
“England is a huge barrier that we have to overcome,” Erasmus added. “I looked at their possible team and we average 200 minutes per player; there are 216 of them. The average number of matches in our team will be about 54; they are about 59. Our average age is 30; they are 29. Average weight is 104 kg versus 105 kg.
“They are invincible and firmly stand their ground. Since his appointment, Borthwick has helped them believe in what they are doing. It pays off. Their team is full of faith. They will definitely be hurt, not only because of the defeat last year, but also because of the World Cup final in 2019.»
Rassi predicted England's starting XV:
Defenders:F Steward/M. Smith; E. Daly, J. Marchand, M. Tuilagi, J. May; O Farrell, A Mitchell
Forwards: A Genge, J George, K Sinclair, M Itoje, O Chessum, K Laws, T Curry, B Earl .
Replacements. :T. Dan, J. Marler, D. Cole, J. Martin, B. Vunipola, D. Care/B. Youngs, J. Ford, O. Lawrence.
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