Schalk Burger finds current England squad similar to 2007 World Cup winning Springboks team
Schalk Burger, pictured, has been impressed by what he has seen of England under head coach Eddie Jones
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South Africa legend Schalk Burger believes the current England squad's hunger for success will make them a formidable team under head coach Eddie Jones.
Ever since Jones took over from Stuart Lancaster following the 2015 World Cup debacle, England are on an unbeaten streak, winning the Grand Slam during the 2016 Six Nations and followed it with a historic 3-0 series triumph against Australia which took them to the number two position in the World Rugby Rankings.
Burger, who last played for the Springboks in the bronze medal game of the 2015 World Cup against Argentina recalled the transformation made by South Africa following the 2003 World Cup defeat and going on to win the 2007 edition of the trophy under head coach Jake White and assistant coach Jones.
Drawing comparisons between both, Burger, who is currently playing with Billy Vunipola, Maro Itoje and Mako Vunipola for the Saracens in the English Premiership believes England are on right track after disappointing World Cup.
"These players are good players," he said. "I am playing with the core of England's forward pack, and I think they are hungry for success.
"I think after the (2015) World Cup, these guys were ready to take the next step. Obviously, that World Cup was a massive disappointment.
"I went through that in 2003 when we got knocked out and Jake White took over a young squad eager to improve, and Eddie was off the back of that in 2007 when he was assistant to Jake and eventually we won it. So I see a lot of similarities with this England group."
England will kick-off their autumn internationals against the Springboks on 12th November at Twickenham where they have lost their previous five encounters against South Africa.
Admitting that South Africa are undergoing a transition period, Burger is hoping that Allister Coetzee's men can maintain their winning streak against England at Twickenham.
"I'm South African, so I am always going to back the Springboks," Burger added.
"They are going through a transition, so England can probably be confident when they face them, but Twickenham has been a very happy hunting ground for the Springboks. I hope we can turn it around."
The 33-year-old also lauded Saracens for their impressive show this season, having won all the three games they played so far and are sitting second in the points table behind Bath.
"It has been really enjoyable," he said. "I have played Super Rugby for many years, and it has a different allure to it. You spend your energy on different things.
"Here, we have a pretty technical game, so it was important for me to learn how Saracens play. Luckily for me it has been pretty seamless. They are a great bunch of boys, which makes it easier to settle.
"It is not the easiest season to join Saracens, with the trophies they won last year, but I think that is what excites this group of players, they want to win more.
"It is contagious how hard they want to work and to improve. How the team aligns itself off the field is pretty important, and that is similar to what I experienced back home in Cape Town.
"A lot of the time that can give you the extra five per cent when you have that extra feeling for the bloke next to you, playing for your mates.
"I have only been here recently, but the guys really seem to respond to being challenged in difficult circumstances. It is a good attribute to have."
