MX23RW : Sunday, December 15 10:06:59| >> :600:654634:654634:
Rugby World Cup | Third Place Playoff
Nov 2, 2019 at 9am UK
 
England
12-32
South Africa
FT
Mapimpi (67'), Kolbe (74')

Rassie Erasmus admits South Africa still need to improve ahead of World Cup final

Rassie Erasmus admits South Africa still need to improve ahead of World Cup final
© Reuters
The Springboks have won few fans with their physical approach in Japan.

Rassie Erasmus insists South Africa are happy to have bored their way into Saturday's World Cup final against England.

The Springboks have reached the global showpiece for a third time but have won few fans in Japan after using conservative tactics based on the brute force of their forwards.

"If one understands where we've been coming from – being number six, seven or eight in the world – then we've had certain challenges," Erasmus said.

"One of those challenges was to redeem ourselves and become a power again in world rugby and try to be ranked number one and two.

View this post on Instagram

#StrongerTogether 💚💛

A post shared by SA Rugby (@bokrugby) on

"By doing that you have to have some building blocks in place and we've followed a certain route and played according to the stats and the way the game is being refereed currently. And what gives you good results in the short term and on the scoreboard.

"So we certainly accept that there are some things in the game that we have to improve and we take it on the chin.

"But we feel that we have put ourselves in a position to maybe win the World Cup and we are in the final.

"We accept the criticism but we are also happy that we are in the position to compete for a World Cup final, which is where we ultimately want to be."

View this post on Instagram

🙏🇿🇦

A post shared by Cheslin Kolbe (@cheslin15) on

South Africa's star wing Cheslin Kolbe has recovered from an ankle injury and has been added to an otherwise unchanged squad for the final.

"What I do expect on the field is a very well-coached England team," Erasmus said.

"A fit England team with a great tactical plan, and then obviously the physicality they brought in the semi-final New Zealand, was just on the next level.

"It's been a long time since I saw an England team pitch up with that amount of physicality.

"They must be brimming with confidence and I'm sure they are ready to bring that same intensity. We will have to be really up to try and match that."

ID:376700: cacheID:376700:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:17575:
Written by
P A
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Jonny Wilkinson pictured in March 2019
Read Next:
Jonny Wilkinson: 'England must start again ahead of World Cup final'
>
Read more about Rassie Erasmus Rugby Union
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Chiefs
@
Browns
6pm
Ravens
@
Giants
6pm
Jets
@
Jags
6pm
Cowboys
@
Panthers
6pm
Washington
@
Saints
6pm
Dolphins
@
Texans
6pm
Bengals
@
Titans
9.25pm
Colts
@
Broncos
9.25pm
Patriots
@
Cardinals
9.25pm
Buccaneers
@
Chargers
9.25pm
Steelers
@
Eagles
9.25pm
Bills
@
Lions


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!