Jamie George says the 2023 World Cup semi-final defeat to South Africa has geared up England with a blueprint to beat the Springboks.
England face a must-win encounter towards back-to-back world champions South Africa at Allianz Stadium on Saturday after last-gasp losses to New Zealand and Australia left their autumn marketing campaign on the ropes.
It is the primary time England have met South Africa since their 16-15 semi-final defeat by the hands of the Springboks in Paris noticed them agonisingly miss out on successive World Cup finals.
“Whenever you play international rugby, you’ve got to look at the performance as a whole,” England captain George instructed Sky Sports activities.
“What we noticed from that efficiency was a blueprint on tips on how to beat South Africa.
“We’re a unique crew to what we have been then, we have improved in so many various areas, however we have additionally been hammering dwelling the factors that put us in place to win that recreation.
“We didn’t win it, it was another close game, but we’ve got to make sure we do the right things if we get into that position again.”
The stakes are excessive on England’s return to Twickenham this weekend, with Steve Borthwick’s facet within the midst of a four-Check shedding run that the back-to-back world champions wish to lengthen.
England have made an unlucky behavior of swapping late leads for defeats all through 2024, with final weekend’s 42-37 setback towards Australia proving the catalyst for in-depth reflection between George and his team-mates.
“We were obviously very disappointed coming off the game last weekend, mostly off the back of our performance,” he mentioned. “No matter whether or not Australia scored on the finish, it could have been a tricky week for us on reflection.
“We’ve had open and honest conversations. We needed to be honest, we needed to be clear on why we weren’t as good as we needed. Sometimes there are tough conversations that need to happen, and we’ve done those.
“What I’ve beloved is that we have got readability on what we’re like after we’re at our greatest. We have proven glimpses of that in elements towards New Zealand and Australia. We all know we’ll need to be proper at it to win on Saturday.
“It’s been important for us to get fixes to where we went wrong ahead of the biggest challenge of South Africa at home. We’re clear it’s going to be a big challenge for us, but it’s a challenge we are very ready for.”
Erasmus: Borthwick ‘a bit underneath stress’
Rassie Erasmus insists Steve Borthwick is a coach underneath stress as South Africa look to inflict additional distress on England.
England are enjoying to keep away from a fifth successive defeat after they host the all-conquering back-to-back world champions with Borthwick’s win price for his 26 video games in cost now at 50 per cent.
The Rugby Soccer Union insists Borthwick has its “100 per cent full support” regardless of the late losses to New Zealand and Australia.
England took South Africa to the wire in final yr’s World Cup semi-final and Erasmus suspects Borthwick will fall again on ways which were efficient prior to now.
“When you lose two games, even if it’s by a point or last-minute try, the pressure does start to build,” the Springboks coach mentioned. “I’ve been there and certainly know how quickly that can get to you. Now Steve is a bit under pressure.
“Then one usually falls again on to what works for you. They have been profitable like that previously, so we very a lot anticipate them to attempt to squeeze us with the kicking recreation.”
Sky Sports+ has officially launched and will be integrated into Sky TV, streaming service NOW and the Sky Sports activities app, giving Sky Sports activities prospects entry to over 50 per cent extra dwell sport this yr at no additional value. Discover out extra right here.